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I ejoyed that article by Dr Bell, It was the first comments that discussed the timeline of space development and the lack of space industry foresight to make things happen.
We have had many chances to succeed by we have failed and If we don't stop failing we won't go anywhere and colonize space.
Dayton 3,
I see what you are going at, but the commitment has been given by the president to launch humanity back to the moon with a permanent moonbase and to mars and beyond, but in the statement didn't talk about permanent martian outpost.
The exploration plan must deliver a rapid deployment of humans and cargo to the surface of mars and the return of scientific and resources in the shortest timeframe for congress to feel that the cost outlay is warranted. Using a mothership-dropship approach methodology we could send a automated mothership with up to 10 automated drop vessels (similar design to dc-x vehicle) for surface supply from earth to mars for rapid deployment carrying all the necessary cargo for outpost deployment. Once the automated mothership drops the cargo onto the surcface the craft can be coverted into a space communication platform and scientific platform in orbit monitoring weather, and communicating with earth.
The second vessel would have all the necessaries for humans for mars surface deployment, the mothership could stay in orbit for emergency return voyage to earth. Once the crew of 6-12 has been deployed to the surface they could unpack the dropships and have ten times the supplies, equipment and infrastructure for mars outpost ready for the second crewed vessel.
At this point, dayton 3, the martian outpost is deployed and working to the optium output for scientific value and long term settlement value. Thus congress would see an immediate benefits and the public would see the realisation of humans living and working on another planet.
Well,
Before we look at colonization of mars or any other planetary body in our solar system we need to examine the required infrastructure around earth-moon system. We need to move upwards of 100+ humans over a period of years to and from mars to create a successful colony outpost. We have many different issues to overcome including the long term effects of lower gravity on Mars relating to the conlonists.
Yes, the initial costs to build the infrastructure within the earth-moon system and the transportation of cargo, and personnel to and from other planetary bodies will be extremely costly in the short term but the benefits out way the initial costs, with the advancements in human understanding, knowledge, new processes, newer technologies, and new discoveries for humanity.
To move a large workforce offworld will change the dynamics of the human economic world. Economics in space are different to earth. Entire economic structure will be developed and regulatory frameworks will be required to be assembled to expand the human settlement in space starting in low earth orbit and expanding to the moon. Debates might include do we have earth-moon economic system or does the moon have a separate and treaties are required. ( earth dollar, lunar dollar, martian dollar and what central bank and what government framework etc.)
These are some of the issues that need to be sorted out as we build a exploration plan of our solar system and land on planetary bodies setup permanent outposts and move humans and cargo throughout our solar system.
You want to stay - are the government framework controlled from earth or from Mars ? who will make that decision ? As the technology to get to mars becomes cheaper more and more will come, are we going to let the strong rule with a private security forces like in 15-17th century feudal earth or mars security forces are going to be controlled from earth as a new territory with only a governor.
I know I am looking ahead but we need to look ahead because these issues will be decide on how the outpost become a settlement and how the development of business, investment, terraforming and expansion of humnaity onto other planetary bodies throughout our solar system and beyond.
Gennaro,
Ok, lets think of the possible outcomes of an American only approach to mars landing and colonization. What happens then >
Well, the other space races will try to claim there territory on mars, that means two choices for the american's let them or not. To let them means more competition of resources on mars and not means a open warfare possible on earth between the space races.
The only way to go into space is all world governments or no world governments allowing only corporations in space and laws are created on earth to manage the space bodies through the united nations and the resources to the whole world through a space resources exchange like the commodities exchange already existing on earth.
but the regulatory controls are govern from earth by the governments but yet have no physical presence on the territory being developed.
About partnering with others, If we don't the world will fight over the rights outside the earth and no-one will win and no-one will go out there.
The term " partnering with others " should have the widest mean including private ownership modules ( individual and corporate), non-profit organizations, semi-government authorities and government agencies.
Also the rules are set for all parties and the rules don't change when one of the parties doesn't like the outcome. things might work then.
Then we could work on what mission profile and what crew etc.