Colonizing Mars vs. building *O'Neil cylinders* - What are your thoughts? 📦

3    04 Jul 2020 20:28 by u/many_coconut

Hi all. There has been a lot of discussions about colonising Mars. But there are also other directions people might go. Most notably, building a self-sufficient space station. The latter seems naturally much more difficult. But the arguments made is that, it *might* be easier, *if* the goal is to be as earth-like as possible. For example, on Mars, one would have only about 1/4 of Earth gravity. Can not change that. Atmosphere, magnetic core, temperature... these seem not easily changed. So, if one were to live indoors anyway, so to speak, would building an O'Neil cylinder maybe be more realistic? The fact that they have an engine and can be used a s a space ship is kinda appealing to me too. What do you guys think: are we focusing too much on Mars? Should be redirect our efforts? Or is it all... pie in the sky? Cheers.

4 comments

3 u/tommijones 04 Jul 2020 20:45
Are you a fan of Isaac Arthur as well? I think an O'Neil cylinder might come first, or at least the type of preliminary space station that applies the same basic principles. We obviously have quite a few bottlenecks to account for before we can start establishing permanent colonies even as close as on the moon, but it should be interesting to see whether reduced spaceflight costs and better technologies will permit us to start planning more sophisticated space station designs. Mars also has (what is currently) toxic soil. I think once we've established moon colonies, spaceflight becomes cheaper/more reliable, and there is a motivation factor to push us outwards (overpopulation, resource demand, etc.), we might start evaluating the idea of a gradual mars terraformation and/or colonies. In any such scenario, I think the O'Neil cylinder and the principals behind it will be the first logical step of the two.
1 u/many_coconut [OP] 04 Jul 2020 20:51
:) I know of him. I agree with much he has said, I appreciate that he is neutral in may aspects. I disagree with him on many topics. I think he is driving an important discourse. Now I will get some snacks and something to drink :)
1 u/tommijones 04 Jul 2020 21:02
That's fair, I've listened to quite a few of his videos but I can't say I've followed all of them or necessarily agree with all the points. >I think he is driving an important discourse. Agreed! >Now I will get some snacks and something to drink :) Enjoy. (:
2 u/kek 05 Jul 2020 01:04
It's pie in the sky imo