General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: We should have been colonizing the solar system by now. [View all]Warpy
(111,261 posts)1. Folks wanting to get rich quick.
2. Trip needing three months, not years.
3. Trip no more dangerous than any other at the time
4. No new technology required, just extra ship's stores for the longer trip
5. Folks will live 100% off the land when they arrive, including food, shelter, and all other resources. They won't have to deplete resources of people back home to do this. Even the extra provisions on the ship would have been the same things consumed had they stayed home.
Ah, you say, but what about Isabella hocking her jewelry to finance Columbus? The people of Spain weren't left with fewer resources because of it, as the people of this planet will be if today's technology is used for planetary colonization.
For the time being, probes will have to suffice. Eventually, when we start to solve a lot of the technical problems like better propulsion systems, adequate shielding against meteorites, and hydroponics and waste reclamation that can be set up quickly and maintained efficiently, we'll get out there. It's just silly as hell to say we should be there today. We are just not up to the task yet.