this post was submitted on 14 Jun 2023
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We should at least colonise Mars, at which point the colonists will probably begin the rather slow process of terraforming. We could do that now, with current technology. Zubrin's updated Mars Direct mission plan is one such example. We now know Mars has abundant water and cave systems which would allow for the creation of propellant via electrolysis, while cave systems would help provide some shelter from radiation and could be sealed to create a higher pressure environment such that only breathing apparatus would be necessary and not entire space suits.
We should colonise Mars because it will open up the pathway to the main asteroid belt which can then be mined and perhaps even inhabited.
People always say we should focus on Earth first but that just seems like an excuse to do nothing, the issues we have on Earth will not be solved by diverting the relatively small amount of resources required for a more ambitious Space Programme towards them.
Does Zubrin have any ideas about mitigating the effects of low gravity on humans? The only thing I can think of are these little personal sleep centrifuges I read about somewhere that would approximate earth gravity for at least part of the time.