Colonization of Space is Now

When we think of space exploration, we generally think of excitement and entertainment--of all the interesting things that await us out in the cosmos. What we often fail to consider is the evolution and advancement of our species. And when I say "evolution," I mean it literally.

Learn how space exploration may fuel our evolution at:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/colonization-of-space-is-now/

Image can be purchased here:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/gus3141592/works/5874730-jetpack-evolution

Where could we put a Human Settlement besides the Moon and Mars?

So, what other places in the solar system, besides Mars and the Moon, would it be possible to put a human settlement? Well, as it turns out, this is a pretty big question. From where we are sitting, the solar system might seem like a pretty small place. However, there’s an amazing amount of objects that make up our little corner of the universe. Of course, there are the 8 planets. Then there are the 5 known dwarf planets. And there are some 146 natural satellites (moons) in our solar system. On top of all of this, there is the Kupier Belt and the Oort Cloud. Together, these two regions of the solar system could contain more than a trillion objects... Yes, a trillion objects.

The point?

It is nearly impossible to make a comprehensive list of all the potentially habitable bodies in the solar system. And even if I were to make such a list, it would be ridiculously long and you wouldn’t want to read it. Consequently, we will just do a brief overview of the objects that we could live on without stretching the theoretical limits too far.

To learn where we could build settlements in our solar system, see:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/where-could-we-put-a-human-settlement-besides-the-moon-and-mars/

Image source:
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/index.cfm

Sci-fi warp drives: A very real possibility

You may have seen Jolene’s recent article about proposed mechanisms for interstellar travel that are based on technologies available to us today (if not check it out at: http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/?p=9110 ) The fastest current man-made object (Helios 2) will take 17-18 thousand years to reach our closest star, Proxima Centauri. But these space craft will reduce the journey time from millennia, down to only centuries. Several generations will pass during the trip, and it must be entirely self-sufficient – recycling all food, waste and air.

But what happens when we want to go farther? If we don’t destroy ourselves, one day in the future, our descendants (man or machine) will go in search of a new planet outside the solar system to colonize and live on. It is very unlikely that this will be anywhere near as close to us as Proxima Centauri, and so based on current technology it will still take us tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of years to reach these solar systems. Will future breakthroughs in science offer us a new key to alternative and faster ways to traverse space? As a result of the 100 Year Star-ship Symposium in 2012, the answer is a very hopefully, yes.

To learn more about the fantastic form of travel, see:
http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/sci-fi-warp-drives-a-very-real-possibility-ready-for-editing/

Image source:
http://www.andersoninstitute.com/alcubierre-warp-drive.html