Lonely No More

The classic image of a deep space explorer-- with the exception of the STAR TREK universe of characters-- is someone who cuts himself off from his society for years to explore the unknown. That image is no doubt based on the ocean-going explorers of the European Age of Discovery, who did something very close to that. To explore deep space, however, is not to explore eighteenth century Tahiti in a British ship.

The Internet has already profoundly affected society, and it will play a role in keeping explorers linked to home. Already, ISS crewmembers can videoconference with family and friends, send and receive email, and trade computer files. The situation will be much the same for lunar explorers.

As we move on to Mars, real-time conversations will be difficult because of the time lag involved, but all the other communications options will be open to explorers. Movie night at a Mars base will feature the same movies that are being shown back home at that time-- unless the crewmembers are Three Stooges fans.

Anywhere we travel in the Solar System, explorers and settlers of the far reaches will be able to remain part of their communities, receiving news only hours old at most. They will be able to read the same books and watch the same television as their families. Mail delivery will be faster than the U. S. Postal Service, and much of it will likely be video.

The lonely explorer will only begin to be relevant again as we head to the stars. As a starship powers into interstellar space, barring some breakthrough, news from home will gradually become history. The bond with Earth will weaken. Until then, however, no explorer of the Solar System need feel cut off from home.