No one's giggling at the idea of space tourism anymore. With rapid developments in propulsion, power and terraforming (defined by www.dictionary.com as "transforming a landscape on another planet into one having the characteristics of landscapes on Earth"), the idea of traveling to another planet and even living there is no longer, well, out of this world.

"There are so many things underway now that relate to space colonization. The International Space Station is part of this too, as well as the long-term potential for terraforming Mars into another planet for humans to live on," Eric Rice tells SPACE.com. Rice heads an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) technical committee that explores space colonization. He also presided over a symposium on the issue at the Space Technology & Applications International Forum, held last month in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Rice credits several developments for moving space travel out of the realm of science fiction. They include SpaceShipOne's feats of human spaceflight and the fabrication of inflatable space modules for Earth orbit by entrepreneur Robert Bigelow. Also propelling the take-off of space travel are Dennis Tito and Mark Shuttleworth who paid for seats to travel to the space station in recent years, says Rice. Finally, several firms and organizations are working to make space tourism a thriving business, he notes. Put all this together and according to Rice, you've got a "quiet revolution."

Edward McCullough, principal scientist for The Boeing Company in California, is also optimistic about the prospects of space travel, citing the trajectory of several technologies that "suddenly went exponential" including photography, chemistry and quantum mechanics. He observes that rapid growth in one technology can propel another technology. And that's good news for space colonization, which can ride on the back of advancements in other fields.

"Some of the technologies that are out there are going to allow us to do some things that people are going to find incredible," McCullough tells SPACE.com. For instance, he notes the development of artificial organs for life support, chemical processing and water treatment. Additionally, he lists our ability to fabricate, at high speeds, with metal, ceramics, plastics and electroactive polymers on a large-scale or micro-scale. The capabilities of autonomous robotics are also encouraging for space colonization, says McCullough. Currently, such robots can interface with complex objects, assemble modules and complete complex repairs unattended. What's more, we can also genetically engineer plants and domestic animals for life on Mars.

The red planet is one destination that is being eyed with a lot of interest. Teeming with carbon dioxide that could be condensed and filled with many minerals we can use for construction and manufacturing, Mars is appealing to many scientists. And don't forget, by all indications, it has water, too. "The availability of water on Mars in significant quantities would once again simplify our projected industrial activities. This makes extensive bases leading to colonies more likely," says McCullough.

Source:

Space Colonization Efforts Quietly Pick Up Steam
Leonard David
USA Today, February 23, 2005
www.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2005-02-23-space-colonization_x.htm