Terraforming Mars!

[Turanil]

What is most interesting about Mars is that it is possible to terraform it with today's technologies and a modest budget. It is the only planet we know of where this is possible. We'll tell you more about terraforming our sister planet a little further on this site.

Well, this website is probably a little optimistic.

Nonetheless, less than 400 years ago a member of Cromwell's government was planning a manned mission to space with a "boat equipped with swan wings, and that would take off using cannons to propel it into the sky". So, it took 4 centuries to see a weird idea absolutely impossible to work in its time, to become a reality in the 20th century when man landed on the moon. I personally believe that it will also take 4 centuries from now for having Mars fully terraformed and inhabited (Well, if mankind doesn't disappear or goes back to stone age before that).

Well, I want to believe that it will happen. I think it would be the greatest achievement of the human race ever (until they discover faster than light travel and are able to terraform Venus). Now, this prospect is the only one that would make me welcome reincarnation back onto this planet...

 

[tarchon]

I suppose we might have to after we veneriform Earth.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

What exactly is veneriforming?

 

[Turanil]

What exactly is veneriforming?

I guess it is polluting the atmosphere so much, that it eventually runs a devastating greenhouse effect and kills all life on Earth. Greenhouse effect is when there is too much CO2 in the atmosphere so it keeps the heat in the atmosphere thus slowly but steadily increasing its temperature. On Venus, the extremely thick CO2 atmosphere is so hot, that it could melt lead (if I remember well), in addition of being highly corrosive.

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EDIT: Please, leave discussion about "veneriforming" Earth away, as I just noticed that it would quickly border on the forbidden political subjects...

 

[BiggusGeekus]

What we really need is a dirt sample. Several, actually. But lifting off of a planet is really hard.

I've always been mystifyed why we sterilize our space robots. There's no life on Mars. Maybe some single celled organisms, but nothing to get excited about compared to terraforming. I think we should just try to replicate the Martian environment as best as we can on Earth and see what will grow. Next time we dump a probe up there we can play Johnny Appleseed so that by the time we have the technology to do it for real we'll already have some plant life. I agree that terraforming Mars is a thought for 2405, not 2005, but why not start now?

 

[Terath Ninir]

Terraforming Mars, while not *easy*, is certainly within our grasp. Kim Stanley Robinson's "Mars" series, while sometimes a hard slog to go through, has some fascinating ideas on the subject. Many of the more advanced ideas are not possible now. However, many of them *are* possible now, and you have to start somewhere.

 

[Krieg]

I've always been mystifyed why we sterilize our space robots.

Because unlike WoTW we don't want earth microbes to kill off any potential martians.

 

[tarchon]

Because unlike WoTW we don't want earth microbes to kill off any potential martians.

More than that, we don't want to go around seeding microbial life either. It would be kind of embarrasing to find "life on Mars" only to discover that it was E. coli that stuck to one of the Viking probes.

Yeah, "veneriform" is either an adjective "venus-shaped" or the verb "to make like Venus." Also "martiform" for the same with Mars. It's largely a nonce word, but I've seen it around before.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

More than that, we don't want to go around seeding microbial life either. It would be kind of embarrasing to find "life on Mars" only to discover that it was E. coli that stuck to one of the Viking probes.

But once the topic of Terraforming has been put forth, why not?

This is going to happen. Maybe by a private organization, but it is inevitable. Why not just DO it and put the issue to rest?

 

[Mark]

But once the topic of Terraforming has been put forth, why not?

This is going to happen. Maybe by a private organization, but it is inevitable. Why not just DO it and put the issue to rest?

Yes. Do it. Do it now. We need a fall back position in case our rock is hit by another really big rock and everyone on our rock dies.

Do not go gentle into that good night - Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light