2007-02-07 05:03:00 · 12 answers · asked by Hunter B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Crabby answered well. I would add that the oceans, however large, are finite. There's a limit to how much we could grow there, given the volume available - not to mention the fact that our oceans are already occupied by life that's a valuable part of our own ecosystem.
Furthermore, space has the potential to provide infinite resources (relative to current human population). For example, the atmosphere of Titan actually rains methane, a primary component of natural gas. Factories operated outside of Earth's atmosphere and fueled by elements found on meteors and other planets would no longer threaten human life here with pollution.
Given that we invest a great deal in ocean exploration today for biology, agriculture, fuel and other research - and considering that in some places, such as Dubai, there are already commercial ventures exploiting habitation on or under the ocean, the fact that we're looking at space as well is more foresight than distraction.
2007-02-07 07:07:05 · answer #1 · answered by Space-Age 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why colonize space... How about this-as an insurance policy for the human race in case we blow ourselves up? Or get annihilated by a meteor strike? Our grandchildren could, if they had the will, start to terraform Mars. With an initial investment (admittedly, trillions of dollars worth) of energy that would release the carbon dioxide and water sequestered in the regolith... Mars can be made much more habitable than it is now. Granted, it would take thousands of years to get a breathable atmosphere, but we could conceivably raise the average temperature above the freezing point of water and the pressure of the air to 1/2 to 3/4's of Earths. We still have to wear oxygen masks.... but THEN we would have an entire WORLD to colonize, and the human race's chances of extinction would drop dramatically.
2007-02-07 06:30:50 · answer #2 · answered by stargazergurl22 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who's focusing on colonizing space? I see projects to explore it, but not to colonize it. You're right about Earth being more accessible. It'd be much cheaper to build and supply a city in the middle of most barren, inaccessible part of the Saharan desert or a mile deep in the ocean than it would be to build one on the Moon.
2007-02-07 05:26:00 · answer #3 · answered by Faeldaz M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
residing underwater is extra problematic that you may imagine. case in point, each 33 or so feet that you descend, you get yet another "surroundings" of stress. Very quickly, you're speaking about countless water weight on any bubble that could be built. by technique of an same degree, gases are squished down by technique of those atmospheres, that is why air would not seem to very last as lengthy at intensity, although as human beings upward push, the gas expands back, that is what causes decompression ailment, a.ok.a. the bends. If we were to colonize Mars and easily stay in bubbles, i'd believe you, although the lengthy run plan may be to terraform the planet so as that it may keep up human existence devoid of synthetic environments.
2016-11-25 23:52:51 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Human's would first, rather colonize something much easier that can help us today. The oceans could also be perfect to harbor more life. We don't need space yet and so, it would be a waste of time and money to colonize space. The oceans are better.
2007-02-07 05:14:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is/has been about as much work and research done on one as the other--which at the present time is almost none. Its simply that space travel has gotten more publicity.
They are really complementary efforts, though. What we learn about creating habitats in space helps us do the same under the oceans--and vice-versa. In fact, several astronauts (e.g., Mecury astronaut Scott carpenter) have done extensive work on undersea technology as well as space.
2007-02-07 06:38:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the waters are probably more dangerous then space once you figure out how to get up there and be able to sustain life.
2007-02-07 05:07:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
because the oceans are on earth, and when we've destroyed the earth the oceans will be included
2007-02-07 05:09:04 · answer #8 · answered by Egg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you want to live underwater? We do by the way, have permanent underwater stations already in place for research.
2007-02-07 05:29:08 · answer #9 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because space is the final frontier
2007-02-07 05:11:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋