Ok, this might be more of a Reddit question or an xkcd’s “What if”, but let’s try here first.
When people talk about investing in tech so that, if Earth gets bad enough, we have a plan B in colonizing Mars, I think we most agree that it’s nonsense. But it seems like a good thought experiment.
What would have to happen to Earth so that, given we have developed the technology, terraforming Mars and moving some people there is a sensible option?
Mars having no water, no atmosphere, and no organic matter make it a high bar.
I believe global nuclear war or the worst predictions of climate change won’t cut it. A meteor, not if it is the same size the one that already hit Earth and wasn’t enough to kill all life, much less remove atmosphere or water.
So, what is this scenario where putting the resources (again, given we have the tech) to create a colony on Mars make sense?
When people talk about investing in tech so that, if Earth gets bad enough, we have a plan B in colonizing Mars, I think we most agree that it’s nonsense. But it seems like a good thought experiment.
What would have to happen to Earth so that, given we have developed the technology, terraforming Mars and moving some people there is a sensible option?
Mars having no water, no atmosphere, and no organic matter make it a high bar.
I believe global nuclear war or the worst predictions of climate change won’t cut it. A meteor, not if it is the same size the one that already hit Earth and wasn’t enough to kill all life, much less remove atmosphere or water.
So, what is this scenario where putting the resources (again, given we have the tech) to create a colony on Mars make sense?