Humanity’s first offworld presence: where to go? (science video)

The human race will colonise space one day, but the question is: what will the first colony look like, and where will it be located? In Orbit? The Moon, yes? Mars? Or someplace else entirely?

Isaac Arthur has some interesting thoughts on the matter in this new science video.

Ah, the age-old question – when will humans colonize space, and where will we go first? It’s a question that has fascinated scientists, adventurers, and dreamers for centuries, and it’s one that we may finally be on the cusp of answering.

So, what will the first human colony look like, and where will it be located? Well, that’s a tough one to predict. There are so many variables at play here that it’s difficult to say for sure. But that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate, right? So let’s get to it!

One possibility is that the first human colony will be in orbit around the Earth. This would allow us to test out our space-faring abilities without venturing too far from home, and it would provide a convenient base of operations for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The downside, of course, is that living in orbit would be a pretty extreme environment, with no atmosphere, no gravity, and no protection from cosmic radiation. But hey, it’s a small price to pay for the chance to live in space, right?

Another possibility is that the first human colony will be on the Moon.

This would be a bit more comfortable than living in orbit, with a stable surface, a reasonable amount of gravity, and some protection from cosmic radiation. Plus, the Moon is relatively close to Earth, which would make it easier for us to visit and resupply the colony. However, the Moon is still a pretty harsh environment, with no atmosphere, extreme temperature fluctuations, and no water or other resources to speak of. So living there would definitely be a challenge.

Another possibility is that the first human colony will be located on Mars. This would be a bit more challenging than living on the Moon, as Mars is much further away and has a more hostile environment. However, Mars has several features that make it an attractive destination for human colonization, including a stable surface, a thin atmosphere, and the possibility of water ice. Some people even think that Mars might support life as we know it, which would be a major boon for the first human colonists.

But what if the first human colony isn’t located on Earth, the Moon, or Mars? What if we go somewhere else entirely? It’s possible that we could establish a colony on one of the moons of Jupiter or Saturn, or even on a planet orbiting another star. While these options would be much more challenging than colonizing a place like Mars, they would also open up new possibilities for exploration and discovery.

So, where will the first human colony be located? It’s hard to say for sure, but no matter where we go, one thing is certain – living in space is going to be a wild and exciting adventure!