Solar Responsibility
By AD11RGUY
@AD11RGUY (1265)
United States
December 15, 2007 11:37pm CST
There's talk about mining minerals from other celestial bodies in our solar system for use here on Earth. This is of course a grand idea for sustaining our existence on this wonderful globe. But like strip mining here on Earth, there will be casualties on the surface and deeper, of these other bodies solely for our own good. Given our near zero knowledge of what other life forms exist in the solar system, let alone our very limited knowledge of other life forms here at home, i.e. the oceans, do you think it is a responsible thing for us to assume that because we don't recognize any life forms on these bodies, to mine them for our own selfish use?
4 responses
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
16 Dec 07
What if we accidentally bring home some tiny intelligent life forms that do not recognize us as intelligent life forms and annihilate us?
That would take care of our selfish acts. Fortunatly it will take a long time before we are technologically advanced enough to accomplish these goals and maybe we will have matured more and raise our morals more before we take this step.
Of course. there is always China. China is taking leaps and bounds in this area. They will outstrip us in the space race very soon. Their technology is amazing as is their detemination. There need is also a big inspiration!
1 person likes this
@AD11RGUY (1265)
• United States
20 Dec 07
Wouldn't that be funny. The Andromeda Strain Part 2:The Reality Series. China is a very big concern too, given that they still are very secretive about their doings and have so much money that it is impossible to sway them with economic threat. Plus, with more bodies, they seem to be in the position the U.S. once was - do whatever we want. Who's gonna stop us? Hopefully, there will be a new conscience in the Chinese government that sees China as part of the world picture and not some secret, obscure entity that has no responsibility to the rest of the planet.
@bridc1 (28)
• United States
17 Dec 07
I doubt this will even happen in any of our lifetimes... The amount of technology and money needed for this just doesn't make it practical to pursue right now. The government probably wouldn't be interested in this, rather individual enterprises would. These enterprises not only would need to develope a space program, but be able to train enough people to sucessfully mine a profitable amount. Besides, think of the fuel alone needed in transporting stuff between planets. Hardly a profitable idea...
1 person likes this
@AD11RGUY (1265)
• United States
20 Dec 07
Indeed this is too big an undertaking for the government. But private industry is already gearing towards even deep space exploration and mining. It's a matter of funds and time. The fuel concerns may not be as big an ordeal as you think though. Water is now being used as fuel by converting it to HHO gas. And the exhaust is water. Self-perpetuating fuel source. Look out!
@gkrisiyer (393)
• India
21 Dec 07
What kind of minerals are we talking about ? We have no idea what kind of impurities will be associated with the minerals found there.We dont even have the technology to purify those.Lets assume all this was true and that we somehow possessed the technology et al., it would still need years and years of research before we start using these minerals and finding minerals that are found on Earth on the other planets is impossible because of the atmosphere that the other planets have.
@AD11RGUY (1265)
• United States
22 Dec 07
What spurred this discussion was China's recent discovery of an abundant supply of Helium 3 on the lunar surface.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Scientists_look_to_Moon_to_power_Earth/articleshow/2491771.cms
The uses are already known. It is a matter of harvesting and transporting the He3 laden ore back to Earth for processing and/or use.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
16 Dec 07
That is a fair assessment. Of course I'd hope humanity would have some restraint and consideration should there be recognizable life on said celestial bodies. I'd go further and just say there should be responsible actions either way in this endeavor, if...well when it happens.
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@AD11RGUY (1265)
• United States
20 Dec 07
That's what worries me..."hope" that humanity will have some restraint. I think we all underlying know that this is not the predominant thought process of our species, for whatever reason. Where as I wouldn't want to die in lieu of mining, I would hate to find out we wiped out an entire species, let alone one more intelligent than us, in the process.
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