Life Outside Our Biosphere :: essays research papers

Life Outside Our Biosphere     The fragile balance of the Earths ecosystem is constantly beingdisrupted. Overpopulation is placing heavy strain on the worlds resources. Weare vehement all our fossil fuels to create the energy we need, and clearing ourrainforests to make enough farmland to feed e preciseone. The ozone layer is slowlyeroding, exposing us to harmful UV light. The manner we have on this planet isjust enough to provide for our population now As the population grows, we testamentfind ourselves more and more crowded, with no room left to expand. SolutionTransfer part of the population off the Earth, to colonies established either onother planets or on orbiting space stations. This will lessen strain on theworlds land resources by providing more agricultural area, and will help solveproblems associated with overcrowding.     In our solar system, a few planetic possibilities exist for colonization.Mars, one of our closest neighbor s, was previously a prime choice until it wasexplored more in depth. Scientists have now found it to be a red, rocky, barren lay waste to with little atmosphere, no water, and containing no life. If Earthlingswere to settle on Mars, we would remain totally dependent on the Earthsresources.     Another close planet is Venus, the second from the sun. This "sisterplanet" of Earth proved to have extremely hostile conditions. Scientists werehopeful when they found traces of water vapor in the upper atmosphere, but weredisappointed when concentrations of sulphuric caustic were discovered mixed withthe water. Venus has surface temperatures of around 600 degrees Fahrenheit, andan atmosphere one hundred times as thick as the Earths. (This produces shove equivalent to pressure two miles under water on Earth.) Theseconditions project a less than comfortable life on Venus.     The Moon has held Mans curiosity since we were created, leading to suc hmissions as the Apollos. These space missions have taught us a lot about whatlife on the moon would be like. The moon has little to offer us in the way ofsettlement it has little to no atmosphere, and only one sixth of the gravity ofEarth. Although the moon might not be the best place for colonies to settle, itwould be an excellent source of resources for nearby space stations. (Scientists can extract oxygen from the rocks, and glass, aluminium, and othermetals as well.)Space stations orbiting in the past have been very dependent on theEarths supplies for construction and maintenance. The Soviets have launched abrigade of structures called Salyuts. In fact, one of their cosmonauts haslived in space for more than 235 days They supplied the Salyuts by shuttle