Can Manned Interplanetary Space Travel Become Economically Viable in the Future?
When considering the future of space travel, one cannot help but ponder the question of whether manned interplanetary space travel will ever become economically viable. This adventure into the unknown may indeed be achievable, yet it raises several profound questions about technology, funding, and the very nature of human ambition.
The Feasibility of Interstellar Travel
Technological advancements are crucial to the feasibility of interstellar travel. For instance, the Zargon Exclusion Zone, a hypothetical region where human travel beyond our solar system incurs severe consequences, may prevent such journeys. However, if we develop faster-than-light (FTL) drives or hyperspace technology, the journey beyond our solar system becomes a reality.
Even without advanced propulsion systems, large-scale exploration will likely begin with automated, AI-powered probes. These probes, while ‘small’ in their physical dimensions, will require substantial amounts of reaction mass for interstellar travel. Miniaturization and compact power sources are key advancements needed to make these missions viable. It is estimated that we might send dozens of such probes, with the results returning decades or even centuries later. The excitement of such revelations is hard to resist, but as anyone might live only 300 years, it is a bittersweet prospect.
The Roadmap to Human Space Exploration
The timeline for human exploration of other star systems is uncertain, potentially stretching across many millennia. To advance into this brave new world, we must first overcome our inherent tendencies towards conflict and environmental irresponsibility. It is hoped that by 2100, we will live in a society of abundance, with a slowly declining population, where education teaches critical thinking skills, and we focus on environmental preservation.
Manned interplanetary travel poses significant challenges, particularly when considering the long travel times. Travel to another planet may take several decades to over a century. To address this, human pseudo-hibernation could be a solution. Such individuals would be aware of Earth’s events only after a decade or more, focused on their own survival and unique activities on an alien planet.
Cost and Funding of Interstellar Expeditions
The cost of such an expedition will be enormous, requiring significant funding or an abundance of resources. In an abundance society, funding may be more readily available, but the decision on whether to fund it is uncertain and may depend on political and economic factors. Eventually, technology will advance to the point where it is feasible, much like aging is being conquered, allowing people to live for 200 to 300 years, thereby making long-term projects more viable.
Despite these advancements, large-scale human interstellar exploration may not be a reality. The number of viable planets close enough to be explored is limited, leading to a stable and Eden-like Earth where few choose to leave. Even if we do find a handful of potential settlements, the option of settling only one or none might not be an appealing future.
Conclusion
In summary, while manned interplanetary space travel may become economically viable in the distant future, it is unlikely to be on a large scale. The challenges of finding suitable planets, the cost of such expeditions, and the potential for a stable Earth where few people wish to leave, all suggest a more modest scenario. However, the prospect of expanding humanity beyond our solar system remains a tantalizing frontier worth exploring.