Terraforming Mars

Scientists are often science fiction fans and sometimes their work brings science fiction themes and ideas into reality. In fact, the science fiction community has long argued their literature did not simply predict the future, but helped shape it by stirring the imaginations of young people who grew up to become scientists and engineers. There certainly seems to be something to that position.

Terraforming, at the moment, is still science fiction, but maybe not for much longer. Terraforming is a process by which we would make another planet more Earthlike, and therefore suited to support human life with a minimum of technology being necessary. Mars is the facored first target.

Dr. Chris McKay of NASA Ames is a leading voice within the agency for the manned exploration of Mars sooner rather than later-- and a leading proponent of using terraforming to turn the Red Planet green. Under McKay's plan, the whole process would take centuries. Lowell Wood, a physicist retired from the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, recently argued for a more optimistic date. Under his plan, Mars would be virtually completely transformed by the end of this century. Humanity would have a second home in the Solar System.

Of course, if we discover extant life on Mars, changing the climate to suit ourselves might be deemed unacceptable. There is also a strong possibility that such a massive project will turn out to be more complex than some scientists currently believe. If Professor Wood is correct, however, this century could see the beginning of a multi-world civilization with access to immense resources and the possibility of the creation of incredible wealth and opportunity.