256 | Kelly and Zach Weinersmith on Building Cities on the Moon and Mars
Nov 13, 2023
01:24:17
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Kelly and Zack Weinersmith, a wife-and-husband team with a diverse perspective on living in outer space, discuss the challenges and opportunities of building cities on the Moon and Mars. They explore topics such as sex in space, self-sustaining settlements, manufacturing challenges in zero gravity, physiological challenges of raising a newborn on the Moon, feasibility of a one-way trip to Mars, distribution and settlement patterns on the Moon, and lessons from the Biosphere 2 project.
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Quick takeaways
Space settlement on planets like Mars and the moon faces challenges such as understanding the long-term effects on human reproduction and development.
Both the moon and Mars present significant challenges for human settlement, but Mars offers more resources for a self-sustaining society.
The impact of space conditions on reproduction and development is largely unknown, and further research and experiments are needed.
The exploration and settlement of space require a balance between private ventures and government oversight, as well as international cooperation and responsible practices.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Space Settlement
Space settlement on planets like Mars and the moon is a complex process that involves several key challenges. One of the main challenges is the lack of knowledge about how the human body responds to space conditions over the long term, including the impacts on reproduction and development. The current data from the International Space Station, which has low gravity and is protected by Earth's magnetosphere, is insufficient to fully understand the effects of higher gravity and space radiation on human reproduction. Additionally, the harsh conditions of Mars, such as low gravity, regolith-like soil, dust storms, and lack of resources like carbon and water, pose significant obstacles to creating a sustainable settlement. There are also ethical concerns related to reproduction and the potential for interplanetary conflict. Overall, further research, systematic experiments, and careful planning are needed before undertaking long-term space settlement.
The Moon vs. Mars
While the moon is closer and has some advantages like the presence of water in hard-to-reach places, Mars offers more resources like water and carbon dioxide, which are essential for a self-sustaining society. Mars also has a thicker atmosphere than the moon, which could potentially be utilized for shielding against space radiation. However, both the moon and Mars present significant challenges for human settlement, including the need to address issues like soil composition, dust storms, and potential health risks. The moon may serve as a stepping stone to Mars, where lessons can be learned and technologies can be developed before attempting settlement on the red planet.
The Uncertainties of Reproduction in Space
The impact of space conditions on reproduction and development is largely unknown. Limited experiments with rodents on the International Space Station have shown various health risks and complications, but comprehensive studies on mammalian reproduction in space are lacking. Questions about the effects of reduced gravity, space radiation, and the ability to sustain pregnancy and childbirth in space remain unanswered. Moreover, there are ethical concerns regarding the implications of raising children in space colonies and potential implications for future generations. Further research and systematic experiments are needed to fully understand the physiological and reproductive challenges of reproducing in space.
Government Oversight and Private Ventures
The exploration and settlement of space require a balance between private ventures and government oversight. Private companies like SpaceX, while influential, still need to adhere to international law and governmental regulations. The responsibility for space activities falls under the jurisdiction of the countries from which the companies operate. Government agencies like NASA play a crucial role in regulating and overseeing space missions to ensure safety, ethical considerations, and adherence to international treaties. The involvement of multiple space powers and the potential geopolitical consequences of space colonization underscore the need for international cooperation, regulatory frameworks, and responsible practices.
Challenges of Appropriating Land and Extracting Resources in Space
The podcast discusses the complex legal and geopolitical challenges surrounding the appropriation of land and extraction of resources in space. While the Outer Space Treaty prohibits the appropriation of land on celestial bodies, there is ambiguity around the extraction and sale of resources. The US interprets the treaty as allowing resource extraction and sale, while some developing countries argue that celestial bodies should be treated as global commons. The potential for resource extraction to lead to geopolitical tensions and potential conflict is a concern.
The Cost and Timeline of Space Settlements
The cost of establishing self-sustaining space settlements, such as on the Moon or Mars, is currently high, likely in the trillions of dollars. However, advancements in technology and scaling of rocket launches could significantly reduce costs over time. It is difficult to predict an exact timeline for space settlements, as it depends on various factors, including political will, international cooperation, and technological advancements. While rush implementation is possible, the podcast highlights the importance of taking time to conduct necessary research, address ethical concerns, and establish agreements on resource extraction to ensure a safer and more sustainable future in space.
Challenges of Living and Sustainability in Space
The podcast explores the challenges of living and achieving sustainability in space settlements. The need for technological advancements, environmental considerations, and resource management is emphasized. The cost of maintaining a self-sufficient settlement, with energy generation and recycling systems, would be substantial. There is also a discussion on the potential use of alternative protein sources, such as insect-based food, to support human nutrition while minimizing resource requirements. The podcast acknowledges that living in space would require considering factors beyond mere survival, including psychological well-being and societal dynamics.
There is an undeniable romance in the idea of traveling to, and even living in, outer space. In recent years, a pragmatic justification has become increasingly popular: the Earth is vulnerable to threats both natural and human-made, and it seems only prudent to spread life to other locations in case a disaster befalls our home planet. But how realistic is such a grand ambition? The wife-and-husband team of Kelly and Zack Weinersmith have tackled this question from a dizzying number of angles, from aeronautics and biology to law and psychology. The result is their new book, A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?It provides an exceptionally clear-eyed view of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Kelly Weinersmith received a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of California, Davis. She is currently an adjunct professor in the department of biosciences at Rice University. Zack Weinersmith received a B.S. in English from Pfizer College. He is the creator of the popular webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, as well as the author and co-author of several books, including Bea Wolf, a retelling of Beowulf as a children's story, with illustrations by Boulet. Kelly and Zach are also co-authors of Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything.
