/sci/ - Science & Math

>>3688756

>Colonize mars. At least that shit has ice which we could use to substantiate some type of teraforming if an when we develop a technique that works.

The moon also has ice, and the same concentration of oxygen in the soil. What Mars has that is attractive is an atmosphere of CO2, which can be used in a number of chemical reactions to make rocket fuel, and to feed plants.

Why we may colonize the moon first is that the major argument for any sort of offworld colonization is to preserve the human species in the event of a global catastrophe, and plugging a lava tube on the moon and cultivating a biome inside gives you more bang for your buck than trying to do the same thing on Mars.

Better to get a small backup colony established on the Moon and then attempt one on Mars than to try to go straight to Mars and have an asteroid hit Earth while we're waiting on funding or something.

The moon supposedly has lava tubes, just like Mars. There's been considerable thought given to how we might seal one, pressurize it, and grow crops inside.

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-01-01/tech/moon.lava.hole_1_lunar-base-lava-flows-lunar-surface?_s=PM:T
ECH

It would be a totally self sufficient biome except for the electricity needed to run the lights. The plants would provide food, air, and handle the waste.

Pic related, speculative illustration from the 1950s of what a lunar lava tube settlement might look like.

>>2403093

Okay, let's have a look at the Lunar landscape. You want to live here?