From Sci-Fi to Reality

Space colonization recently went viral after famous aeronautics companies said they had manned space exploration in mind. But we can naturally wonder what is their plans – and is it really achievable?

KERMANI Benjamin benjamin.kermani@insa-lyon.fr SUNASEE Allendy allendy.sunasee@insa-lyon.fr Thu 25 Oct 2018 11.30 GMT+1

 

 

Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi movie “Interstellar” focusing on the discovery of habitable planets. Blockbuster’s “The Martian” starring Matt Damon, establishing a fictional premise of the colonization of the Red Planet. These are common examples of space colonisation.

 

From the melting of the ice caps to the depletion of resources such as petrol, our planet is slowly dying; we need to find alternative solutions for humanity to subsist. In order to do so, we either find a way to save the planet by opting for renewable sources of energy, or in the craziest scenarios, we find a planet that could host human population.

 

Do you think that in the near future, scientists will be able to achieve space colonization?

Space colonization refers to the permanent human habitation of an alien planet. Mars was the first option to be considered as the surface conditions and former presence of water make it the most hospitable planet in the solar system. The interest is such that 3 leading companies in space exploration and aeronautics, namely, NASA, SpaceX and Mars One have manned missions to Mars in mind.

 

Now, at this point, you may be thinking that sending humans on a planet where the temperature ranges from -125°C in winter near the poles, and 20°C in summer near the equator, is a nonsense. But let me tell you that you’re misleading…

 

In fact, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, is launching a project which consists in colonizing Mars in 2024. Picture yourself in 6 year, Humans will set foot on Mars and that will be “one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”.

 

From Theory to Practice

Every theory based on space colonization rely on one science-fiction principle, Terraforming. The process of deliberately modifying a planet’s conditions (atmosphere, temperature...) to be similar to the one of the Blue Planet.

 

First, we would need to increase Mars’ atmosphere concentration in carbon dioxide. Even though the atmosphere of Mars is composed of 96% of CO2, there is no greenhouse effect, to retain the heat ray produced by the sun. Hence adding more CO2 and CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons), a greenhouse gas, will induce this phenomenon, creating a “dome” around the planet that will let more heat comes in that it comes out. Thus, increasing the temperature on Mars.

 

The raise in temperature will lead to the melting of ice caps. Since they are made out of solid CO2, it will increase the greenhouse effect. But it will also raise the pressure (thank you Ideal Gas Law!) to make liquid water available. However, we still need oxygen to hope that one day Humans can settle on Mars. Scientists’ plan is to produce oxygen by releasing organisms and plants to convert CO2 in oxygen by photosynthesis and other chemical reactions.

 

Easier said than done, a new NASA-sponsored research led by Bruce Jakosky at the University of Colorado, and Christopher Edwards at the Northern Arizona University, entitled “Inventory of CO2 available for terraforming Mars” shakes the foundations of Elon Musk’s project. Indeed, they affirm that there’s not enough CO2 to Terraform Mars.

 

In Conclusion

What you need to remember is that space colonization could be achieved, and will be achieved, sooner than what you might think...

 

Scientists found ways to enable Humans to live on Mars, we just need engineering research to discover how to put them into practice, so that public opinion start realizing the breakthrough made in space exploration. It’s well known that actions speak louder than words. Every day thousands of brilliant scientists work to make this dream come true, corporations put lots of money on their researches as the first one that will achieve this feat will remain etched in the history of mankind.