Can We Colonize Kuiper Belt The trend now is to colonize Mars… But let’s
go further than that, I’m getting bored of Mars Colonies. Imagine going far far beyond
that. Imagine growing past the outside of our solar system. We start leaving behind familiar
planets, familiar moons and you finally start entering a vast space filled with frozen
treasures and cosmic wonders. Welcome to the Kuiper Belt in a celestial playground like no
other! And not only that… imagine colonizing it.. What would life look like there?
And would we able to survive it? I personally think we would stop looking human,
due to all the changes that we will go through, but let’s see what we would have to go
through if we were to colonize that area. These humans never stop. Anyway, let’s go!!!! (roll intro)
--- What is Kuiper Belt
Now what exactly is the Kuiper Belt, you ask? Imagine a giant, donut-shaped object orbiting the
sun. Instead of houses, the vast area is filled with ice objects ranging from dust to asteroid.
It’s like an ice cream parlor in the Milky Way with a variety of flavors to choose from!
Let’s talk about sweet things. Let’s talk about these icy ingredients that come together to make
this frozen stuff. Think of it as a refrigerator preserving the remnants of the early solar system.
Here, you will find a cold mixture of water, methane, ammonia, and other frozen solids.
It’s like a giant snowflake between the stars! But what makes the Kuiper Belt so special?
Well, we have a repository of clues about the origin of the universe. Imagine exploring
the wreckage of the early solar system, searching for answers to questions like how
the planets were formed, their composition, etc. It’s like being a cosmologist, creating the
history of our Universe of the puzzle together. Then, hold on tight as you wander through
this snowy wonderland. As we venture deeper into the Kuiper Belt, we encounter interesting
residents. Say hello to the dwarf planets Pluto, Eris and Makemake. These divine beings have
their own unique personalities and traits and are ready to show you around their cool realm.
And let’s not forget comets, those weird cosmic colonists that sometimes rock our neighborhood.
They hail from the Kuiper Belt, and their icy hearts hold secrets from the far reaches of
our solar system. It’s like an interstellar walk! But beware, for the Kuiper Belt is not
without its challenges. It’s cold and remote, with temperatures that make even the coldest
winter on earth seem balmy. Greater distances mean that travel takes time and careful planning.
It’s like embarking on an amazing space adventure! So let’s see what it will be like!
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Why Colonize Kuiper? So why colonize Kuiper Belt
and risk going that far… Well, the Kuiper Belt extends 30
times further from the Sun than Earth. Although initially unattractive for migrants due
to the extreme distance and low light levels, it offers several advantages. Its isolation
reduces the risks associated with major disasters in the Sun, making habitats in
the Kuiper Belt more likely to survive. Furthermore, the large distance of the telescope
in the Kuiper Belt allows accurate parallax measurements of stellar distances. One of
the main reasons why the Kuiper Belt is so attractive to migrants is because of its many
valuable resources. Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), which are 50 times more massive than the Asteroid
Belt, contain vast amounts of water, ammonia, silicate minerals, iron, and other volatile
elements Nitrogen, an essential element that sustains and essentials life increase
diversity especially in the Kuiper Belt. Nitrogen is needed for gas synthesis, protein,
DNA synthesis, plastics, and rocket propulsion. Well we’re unlucky because nitrogen is scarce in
other celestial bodies, such as the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. Earth has a large percentage of
nitrogen, but it limits the cost and potential environmental impact of launching nitrogen into
space to make it impractical… Venus and the gas giants are rich in nitrogen. However, their
high gravity and lack of resources make nitrogen extraction and export difficult. Outside of the
Kuiper Belt, possible sources of nitrogen include Ceres and large moons like Titan or Callisto. The
surface of Ceres shows signs as ammonia-bearing minerals, and for months the upper ocean can
harbor ammonia deposits. Who would have thought? ---
Problems But the colonization doesn’t only bare
advantages.. which if you think about them, are not that advantageous. Obviously, it comes
with its sets of problems and challenges. The problems of inhabiting
the Belt can be summarized in three main aspects: Let’s take a look.
Firstly, and most importantly, it receives very little solar radiation, ranging from
one-fifth to one-tenth that of the Earth’s. Most of the dwarf planets in the inner system,
such as the planetary belt and the Jupiter Trojans, are in this low-light environment. What
would happen then? Logically, when sunlight is low, it is sufficient for agricultural purposes
because there are no clouds in space, or at night to attenuate sunlight. But fortunately, insulation
can be easily provided on these asteroids, other methods such as using glass domes or parabolic
containers can be a solid light source for agricultural or residential purposes. However, if
we don’t get enough sunlight, our mood can change for the worse. We can become severely "SAD" - and
no, not the sad emotion, but a Seasonal Affective Disorder! Without sunlight, the devil begins to
seduce us, we start transforming into vampires (or werewolves if you prefer) and imagine if we
develop an unquenchable thirst for garlic bread, lol. We’ll start doing séances to summon
the Sun and start applying nightscreen. Our moods may be so grim that we begin our life
stories in music, accompanied by background music and excessive use of black and white filters. And
who knows, maybe we’ll be the world’s first beach lovers at night, hosting beach parties at night
with glow-in-the-dark sand castles and rave-worthy bioluminescent jellyfish. So, remember, folks,
sunshine is essential for vitamin D and keeping us sane, unless you’re trying to work as a lovely,
undead DJ at night! So let’s not ignore it… The second issue is gravity. Most asteroids
and dwarfs in the belt have low gravity, and some don’t even have enough gravity to
hold someone back. But this force of gravity can be dealt with by spin gravity, where a
stationary drum rotating inside the object can give a comfortable picture of gravity Gravity
also produces easier to move cargo and cargo, because less energy is needed to leave the
planet’s surface compared to Earth’s gravity. The third main issue is the limited resources
in the planetary belt. The entire belt, including the largest planet Ceres, is only about
3-4% the mass of Earth's Moon. Real Earth has thousands of times more raw material than the
Belt. Although the Kuiper Belt may be 20-200 times denser than the Asteroid Belt, it still
contains a fraction of Earth’s material. Even so, it remains valuable for mining and colonial
purposes, as it contains large quantities of iron, carbon, water ice, ammonia, methane, and other
elements essential to life and production... ---
Before me move on to the possibilities of colonization, be sure to stay
tuned afterwards, if you havent' seen our earlier release , the controversial topic "Why Colonizing
The Solar System Will Remain Only A Dream Possibilities
As for colonization outside the Kuiper Belt, including exoplanets and scattered
disks, there are three options that do not rely on cheap fusion: First, classical nuclear fission
using uranium and thorium in the solar system. Nuclear fission is a process in which
the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a large
amount of energy. Uranium and thorium are naturally occurring radioactive elements that can
undergo nuclear fission. They are used in nuclear power plants on Earth to generate electricity.
This would involve setting up nuclear reactors on the colonies and use the energy generated by
the nuclear reactors to power various functions, such as maintaining life support systems and
providing electricity for other equipment. Second, larger energy collectors can be used to
transfer energy from closer to the sun, although it is difficult to focus the ships that far.
And finally, they can be powered cables have powered ships to reach these remote
areas, enabling them to travel relatively quickly over conventional runways
So to recap, despite challenges, the planetary belt and other outer regions of
the solar system can technically be colonized. They will have to use limited sunlight,
gravity, and resource solutions, and they can use additional energy to
try to stay where they colonized…. --- Outro
In conclusion, the Kuiper Belt offers a fascinating and unique opportunity
for colonization, with vast resources and valuable insights into the origins of the universe.
While it presents its own set of challenges, such as limited sunlight and resources, these can
be overcome with innovative solutions such as spin gravity and nuclear fission. And who knows,
maybe one day we will have thriving Kuiper Belt colonies, hosting night-time beach parties
and discovering new pieces of the cosmic puzzle. But until then, we can continue to explore and
marvel at the wonders of our universe from afar. Why colonizing the solar
system will remain only a dream I live on astronomy. And that's perhaps why people
are surprised when I say I'm not an enthusiastic supporter of space colonization.
I'm not at all, I just can't be. And I am not just referring to exploring planetary
systems of other stars, whose distances are and will forever be absolutely insurmountable
regardless of our technological capability. No, gentlemen...I am also decidedly skeptical about
the possibility of our species establishing bases or colonies on our home planets!
Follow me, I’ll tell you why! I know… compared to the vastness of interstellar
space, our own solar system seems at first almost comfortingly accessible...But when
we begin to examine the prospects for colonization, things return gloomily.
Try to follow along. Why would we even think of setting foot on planets where we would have
to live only in pressurized, air-conditioned environments, and where outside a hole in the
suit would give us a minute or so of life? Usually, there are three goals that space
conquest fanatics invoke to justify colonization: -Scientific research; -The search for and exploitation
of new natural resources; -The terraforming of a planet
that can become a "Second Earth." The first point is the one I feel I agree with.
Exploration understood as the search for life in the universe must be pursued at all
times. And it is still the least complex and dangerous aspect of our activity in
space. Increasingly intelligent robotic probes will indeed be able to operate in
our place, without us having to descend to the planets as conquering demons or as
desperate settlers in search of new lands. The second point on the list, on the other hand,
I consider completely incomprehensible. We here on Earth do not have a problem with raw materials,
but with overpopulation and political management of resources. Imagining a future where we will
make the same mistakes by raiding asteroids and digging mines in dangerous, godforsaken places
seems silly to me. Fortunately, this will never come to pass-there is indeed no convenience in
digging materials millions of miles from home. The costs will be impractical, and those who
try will abandon the venture after a short time. There could only be affordability if the raw
materials were produced and consumed locally, on a reclaimed planet where millions of settlers
would work and live with their families. And here we fall back on the third point. Do you
in our solar system know of a planet that could be adapted to a "Second Earth"? Do you know a place
where you would go to live or bring your family? I don't think so... I think you would
instead move to an Antarctic base... or for example to the Gobi Desert... Am I wrong?
Are you thinking about terraforming Mars, the least troublesome planet of all?
Well, take it from me-it would cost so much that we'd be better off colonizing
our own ocean floors instead. Or turn all of Earth's deserts into gardens and orchards.
So, even the pretense of colonizing the solar system will be put aside after a few years, when
we come to realize that the stars are too far away and that our neighbors are unlivable worlds.
And from then on we will devote ourselves only to the Moon, here on our doorstep, which
will serve as an outpost for our scientific research. And to low orbit, to improve
living conditions on Earth through orbital control of satellites and space stations.
If, however, you are still unconvinced by what I have just told you... you will
certainly benefit from being convinced Mercury The closest planet to the Sun.
Minimum distance from Earth: 91 million kilometers. Diameter of 4880 km. No
atmosphere, poor water ice reserves. Gravity: 38% of that of Earth. Surface temperature: -180
to 430°C. The local day lasts 88 Earth days. Hell on the diurnal side - and
an icy desert on the night side. Dangerous proximity to the Sun. Very
difficult and expensive to get there with a rocket and descend to the surface.
A planet with these characteristics is clearly not a prime candidate for colonization.
However, there may be water ice reserves in its circumpolar regions. A possible base
should and could only be built nearby. But for what purpose? On Mercury any
kind of human activity is possible! Colonization potential: 0/10 My prediction: by 2033 an attempt will be
made to lower a rover into the twilight zone of the North Pole. Some data will be
collected, many articles will be written, and the small planet will then be judged hostile
and unprofitable for mining exploitation. I believe that from 2040 onward we will not even
waste sending an orbital probe to Mercury anymore. Venus
Minimum distance from Earth: 42 million kilometers. Diameter: 12100
km. Gravity: 90% of Earth's. The ground pressure of 92 atmospheres. Average surface
temperature: 465°C. Greenhouse effect, volcanoes, no water. The atmosphere is poisonous, dominated
by carbon dioxide. Length of day: 116 Earth days. If in terms of size and orbital parameters
Venus is defined as Earth's twin, then in terms of climate it is a decidedly evil twin. The
ambient temperature is higher than that required to melt lead. Atmosphere stifling, dense and
poisonous. Pressure on the surface is comparable to what it would be at an ocean depth of 900
meters. Stuff for bathyscaphe or sperm whales! Thick clouds eternally cover
the sky, making it yellow-orange during the day and hopelessly black at night.
Not only to live there but even to set foot on those inhospitable plains would be unthinkable.
And certainly, such a task is far beyond the technology available to us in the future.
The rating for colonization is slightly higher than that of Mercury, but only because manned
balloons could perhaps be flown in its atmosphere. Colonization potential: 1/10
My prediction: although hellish, the Venusian environment will continue to
present some very interesting aspects from a scientific point of view. Venus is a
living planet, and this will earn the attention of planetologists and the sending
of atmospheric probes and surface rovers. Certainly, however, it will never become the
Second Earth, nor will we ever plant bases there. Moon
Closest body. The average distance from Earth is 384,000 km. Diameter
3400 km. The atmosphere is absent. Gravity: 16.7% of Earth's. Surface temperature: -153 to
123°C. The local day lasts almost 30 of our days. No one doubts that the Moon
will become humanity's first (and perhaps only) outpost outside the Earth.
Of merits it has several. It is very close to home (and communications flow with an almost
imperceptible delay), we have already been there and know it quite well, it seems to be
rich in raw materials: oxygen, water, and fuel, possibly useful for launching missions further
afield. Thousands of square kilometers of solar panels could be deployed here, then deflected
back to Earth. Powerful telescopes could be set up in the hidden hemisphere, as could large radio
telescopes. Some bases could house technicians and scientists. And perhaps a few wealthy tourists.
Very small communities of workers and visitors, in short--because even for the Moon I can't
imagine anyone would choose to go and live there. Colonization potential: 5/10 My prediction: within a decade or so we will
have a couple of bases around the south pole, but the orbital station, the Lunar Gateway, will
never be built. Problems will arise. including political ones, and when things start to get
slow the public will protest the sky-high costs. Musk will defect and the Moon will go the way of
the ISS: a place where crews wearily alternate, with no real reason. More decades will
have to pass, with new technologies, to make the Moon an effective scientific
outpost. But it will only be a matter of time. Mars
Minimum distance from Earth: 55 million kilometers.
Diameter: 6780 km. Gravity: 38% of that of Earth Surface temperature: -126 to +20°.. The atmosphere
is rarefied and irrespirable, the main component being carbon dioxide. There are reserves of water
and dry ice. The Martian day is virtually the same as the Earth's. So are the seasons, differing
only in that they are almost twice as long. They say it is the planet with the most
Earth-like environmental conditions. And indeed, in some areas, the temperature
can reach the values of a warm spring of our own. But the very thin atmosphere and
near-zero pressure would still dictate the use of a full-body suit for outdoor activities...
There is also a lack of a magnetic field to block solar radiation harmful to our bodies. Mars
is also very far away and can be reached only by journeys lasting several months. In addition,
because of the particular configuration of Mars' and Earth's orbits, astronauts would have to
wait at least a year on its surface before they could return home It follows that they
would have to carry supplies and equipment with them to survive, without being able to
rely on anyone's help in case of trouble. Establishing the first bases, however,
will require dozens and dozens of missions to get all the necessary materials there.
But then, to do what with them? I can only conceive of an expedition of scientists eager
to solve the problem of Martian life. But I absolutely don't see what purpose we would have to
settle settler communities in the Martian deserts. What could a settler or a miner get
from the surface of the red planet that he could not already find here on
Earth in the Gobi desert... what's more, with the possibility of living a normal life
and breathing air at the top of his lungs? Colonization potential: 3/10
My prediction: we will be able to set foot on Mars within a decade or so,
but with results that are more emotional than substantive. And when even the last hope
of finding life on that planet is gone, people will become disinterested. Just as
they are disinterested now in the Australian desert. Too distant and inconvenient
to think of setting up a home there. Ceres
The largest object in the main asteroid belt. The minimum distance from
Earth is 265 million kilometers. Diameter: 940 km. Gravity: 3% of Earth's. The atmosphere is absent.
The average surface temperature of -106°C. According to the most optimistic
predictions, the dwarf planet Ceres, along with all its smaller siblings, will soon
become a kind of "Klondike," where public and private space agencies will rush to make money in
mining. Indeed, the asteroid belt is considered a treasure trove of valuable raw materials.
Once again, however, it is worth pointing out that the great distance, the absence of an
atmosphere, and temperatures as low as -170°C will certainly not be a good calling card when trying
to assemble the human labor force needed to open the first mines. And on balance, it will be seen
that the expenses will far outweigh the profits. Unless the mined materials are used on site. But
mined by whom, with what, and to do what with? Colonization potential: 0/10
My prediction: it will be perhaps 20 years before a digging probe is sent to some
asteroid to prove that mining is a feasible and cost-effective venture. We'll bring home
a couple of pounds of randomly gathered material and then all dreams about "Project
Klondike" will be tucked away in a drawer. "Hey, guys, just a moment before we continue...
BE sure to join the Insane Curiosity Channel... Click on the bell, you will help us to
make products of ever-higher quality!" Europa
Fourth largest of Jupiter's moons. Minimum distance from Earth
of 630 million kilometers. Diameter of 3120 km. Gravity: 13% of Earth's. Average surface
temperature: -240 °C. Atmosphere virtually absent. Despite all the hype around Mars, it is this
moon of Jupiter, and not the Red Planet, that is the most suitable place to search for
extraterrestrial life. On paper, plans for automated and manned missions are being developed.
However, even robotic vehicles in Europe are still a dream, and no one seriously thinks that a
permanent base could be established there. Lack of atmosphere, nightmarish
temperatures, and ice-only surface. To get to the supposed ocean of water below
in search of life would require drilling tens of kilometers, or hoping to examine some
material ejected by some geysers. If it is done, this will be a job for a robot,
certainly not for a human crew. Colonization potential: 1/10 My prediction: it will be at least 20 years
before a robotic probe can descend on Europa. It will find no trace of life, and this
will cause not only Europa but also Io, Callisto, and Ganymede, the other large
moons of Jupiter, to fall into oblivion. Titan
Saturn's largest satellite. Minimum distance from Earth of 1280 million kilometers. Diameter of 5150
km. Gravity: 14% of Earth's. Average temperature: -180°C. The atmosphere of nitrogen and methane.
Ground atmospheric pressure: 1.5 times Earth's. Despite the breathtaking distance and all other
impediments, I feel like assigning a nice 2/10 as a theoretical possibility of settling a very
small human colony on Titan in the future, As a well-known astrobiologist in fact said, ""If
you're flying to the edge of the solar system and you have to make an emergency landing, run to
Titan! Titan is the only place where there is a heavy atmosphere like ours, with nice clouds
from which rains fall... A world where rivers flow, and there are lakes and seas..."
This is all true, but also all false... Lakes and seas are of liquid methane and other
hydrocarbons, and not water. The atmosphere is still unbreathable, The Sun, Saturn, and
the stars are perpetually obscured by haze. We have been to Titan before,
though, with the small Huygens probe, and the landscapes photographed during
the descent do not differ much from ours. Colonization potential: 2/10
My prediction. Titan is an extraordinarily diverse world, a kind of
amusement park for those doing scientific research. The Dragonfly mission has
already been scheduled for 2027, with the 2034 arrival of a drone that will
fly for miles looking for traces of life. No human, however, will ever touch
its surface, of that I am sure. Pluto
Dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt. Minimum distance from Earth:
5800 million kilometers. Diameter: 2380 km. Gravity: 6% of Earth's. The average temperature
of -230°. Extremely rarefied methane atmosphere. Having lost its status as a planet in 2006,
in 2015 Pluto was flown over by the New Horizons probe, which gave us an enormous
amount of data and photographic footage. Here, too, we have an extraordinarily diverse
and scientifically interesting surface ... but no chance for human crews to descend on
it. On Pluto everything is beautiful, but everything is a problem. Made worse by the
enormous distance separating it from Earth. Colonization potential: 0/10
My prediction: we will definitely send more probes to Pluto, but only for research
into its origin, which is still debated. Here's the situation. I don't
claim to be right about everything, and maybe reviewing this video 50 years
from now someone will get the same laugh that we still get now reading about those who
said man would never fly on an airplane... But ... I find that sometimes a little healthy
realism can serve to better understand why certain "hard stops" in the realization of so many
space dreams. Dreams flaunted perhaps too lightly. What do you guys think?
Let me know in the comments below and be sure to watch our other videos
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