Terraforming Mars: A giant leap too far?

摘要

In July next year,NASA's Mars 2020 space lander will begin its 38 million-mile journey to the red planets Jczcro crater.Once there,the rover will collect rock and soil samples,test oxygen production and identify past microbial life.The mission is part of NASA's long term objective: gaining enough understanding of Mars to be able to send humans there by the 2030s.But NASA isn't alone in its quest.Government-backed space agencies in China,India,Russia and the UAE all plan to launch either Mars-bound orbiters or landers in the next five years.Private companies have also joined the race.Some have dropped out-the Dutch organisation Mars One went bankrupt earlier this year after receiving millions of dollars from investors-while South African entrepreneur Hon Musk thinks he can pip NASA to the post by sending commercial flights to Mars in the mid 2020s.As oudined in his highly entertaining research paper,Making Humans a Multi-Planetary Species,Musk's company,SpaceX,is planning to send two unmanned cargo ships to Mars in 2022.The ships’objectives include confirming water resources,identifying hazards and putting in place power,mining and life support infrastructure.A second,manned mission,is planned for 2024.And after that? Well,Musk's ultimate plan is to neutralise the harsh conditions of the Red Planet by terraforming it.So,is this even scientifically plausible?