The Ecology of Space Exploration
Posted By Randy on January 14, 2013
A Dutch company is developing a “reality” show as part of its project to put an actual Human settlement on Mars beginning with the placement of a communications satellite and landing of the first supply ship in 2016. According to the Mars One website:
Mars One is a not-for-profit organization that will take humanity to Mars in 2023, to establish the foundation of a permanent settlement from which we will prosper, learn, and grow. Before the first crew lands, Mars One will have established a habitable, sustainable outpost designed to receive astronauts every two years. To accomplish this, Mars One has developed a precise, realistic plan based entirely upon existing technologies. It is both economically and logistically feasible, in motion through the integration of existing suppliers and experts in space exploration.
The Mars One project represents the first time in many a year that a one way trip to colonizing another land has been considered. It’s all about getting there and living there. There is no coming back.
As an exercise in adventure and spirited determination, this is quite a thing. What bothers me is that I don’t believe Mars One, nor anything like it, represents exploration in the name of a greater good. I grew up fascinated with aviation, space travel, and the grand eras of exploration. I used to fantasize about going into space and being part of a new frontier. I don’t any more. I’ve invested absolutely in the Earth. I need nothing more, and find it hard to applaud major investments of time, treasure, and lives in development of technologies and techniques that will permit people to live in an environment that all too closely resembles what will become of the Earth without a check on ravenous human consumption. Desolation with an overlay of unbreathable atmosphere.
While the first landing on the surface of the Moon was motivated by international rivalries and political agendas, in its development, the fallout of space exploration has given us a host of technologies we take for granted and rely on every day. It was beneficial to society at large, and its legacy incalculable. Mars One, on the other hand, is predicated on finding novel and innovative ways to use existing, off the shelf technologies to permit Human life to be where Nature has already decided it shouldn’t. This instead of bringing the same commitment to bear on solving the problem inexorable growth and voracious consumption has become to the Earth and all Her children, Man included.
I’m staying here to do what I can do, ever striving to get closer to the Earth, not further away.
There was a great "Twilight Zone" episode where convicts were sent to a planet far away. Actually, this one planet had only one convict, I believe (played by the great Jack Warden). The supply ship would only come around every few months I believe, and on one visit they supply him with a life-like robot woman who he falls in love with. I won't divulge the ending, in case you haven't seen that one, but it is brilliant.
Anyway, I'm in the same camp with you Randy. Travel to other planets no longer sounds interesting when there are so many wonders right here.
Thanks for the lack of spoiler Gary. I vaguely recall that episode, but now I need to watch it again. Probably the entire original series come to think of it, along with "The Outer Limits". I devoured both of those when I was in my formative years, explaining much no doubt.