Colonization of Moon Titan: Pros and Cons

[Radrook]

Titan seems inviting to colonization because of the way it mimics earthlike features such as lakes, river tributaries, sand dunes and rains. However, closer inspection is a bit sobering. Lets take a closer look. To begin with the lakes are composed of methane as is the rain.
Lakes of Titan - Wikipedia

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Positives to colonization are:

1. Tolerable atmospheric pressure which makes pressurized spacesuits unnecessary. It also provides complete protection against space radiation and meteoroids and is useful for aerobraking spacecraft during entry.

2. Nitrogen in atmosphere can be used as plant fertilizer.

3. Indications of cryvolcanism which provide water with which to make breathable oxygen.

Atmosphere of Titan - Wikipedia

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Negatives to colonization are:

1. Extreme cold : 94 K (−179 °C, or −290.2 °F), Far colder than Antarctica

2. An atmosphere making the use of solar power impossible and making insulation from the cold far more difficult than in a vacuum due to heat dissipation.

3. Low surface gravity of 0.138 g, slightly less than that of the Moon/ Which means that there are health risks involved such as skeletal calcium leakage and a gradual muscular atrophy.

4. Crustal instability: There are land features which can swivel 40 miles in a very short period of time making navigation to a specific place a bit uncertain since you never know when it will decide to get up and go while the going’s good.

Climate of Titan - Wikipedia

 

[Muslim-UK]

Mankind is only allowed to venture so far into Space. We know the shape of the brain alters the longer one is in Space. Far better that we work together to make the Earth a better place for all.

 

[Radrook]

Mankind is only allowed to venture so far into Space. We know the shape of the brain alters the longer one is in Space. Far better that we work together to make the Earth a better place for all.

I agree that we should put more effort in bettering our situation on Earth. But curiosity is a very difficult thing to control and is part of what makes us human. Of course we are also curious about our ocean depths which are largely unexplored. But that's far more difficult than exploring these other worlds due to the horrendous pressures involved.

For example, Earth's atmosphere pressure at sea level is approx 14.6 psi. Every ten meters we go deeper into water the pressure doubles 14,6 psi and at merely 250 feet a scuba diver is incapacitated. If we continue to descend to 5,000 meters then the pressure will be approximately 500 atmospheres or 500 times greater than the pressure at sea level.

The average ocean depth is 12,566 feet about 3800 meters. The greatest ocean depth is 36,200 feet over 11,000 meters! Compare that to the atmosphere pressure on Venus which is just 90 Earth atmospheres and which makes walking on it impossible. Compare that to the 500 atmospheres of pressure we have on Earth at the water depth of 5000 meters.

 

[Ophiolite]

We know the shape of the brain alters the longer one is in Space.

If such is the case, for which I would appreciate an appropriate citation, this is likely a consequence of microgravity, not of being in space.

 

[Radrook]

If such is the case, for which I would appreciate an appropriate citation, this is likely a consequence of microgravity, not of being in space.

Here are the citations requested:

Galactic Cosmic Radiation Leads to Cognitive Impairment and Increased Aβ Plaque Accumulation in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Galactic Cosmic Radiation consisting of high-energy, high-charged (HZE) particles poses a significant threat to future astronauts in deep space. Aside from cancer, concerns have been raised about late degenerative risks, including effects on the brain

Citation: Cherry JD, Liu B, Frost JL, Lemere CA, Williams JP, Olschowka JA, et al. (2012) Galactic Cosmic Radiation Leads to Cognitive Impairment and Increased Aβ Plaque Accumulation in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease. PLoS ONE 7(12): e53275. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0053275

Galactic Cosmic Radiation Leads to Cognitive Impairment and Increased Aβ Plaque Accumulation in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Fortunately the radiation brain damage isn't a factor on Titan due to its thick atmosphere.

Radiation on rats diminished their ability to respond to stressful situations by reducing their fear and in that way indicated that astronauts would suffer similar impairment.

Astronauts May Face Long-Term Brain Damage as a Result of Space Travel

 

[SkyWriting]

Titan seems inviting to colonization because of the way it mimics earthlike features such as lakes, river tributaries, sand dunes and rains. However, closer inspection is a bit sobering. Lets take a closer look. To begin with the lakes are composed of methane as is the rain.
Lakes of Titan - Wikipedia

---------------------------------------------------------------

Positives to colonization are:

1. Tolerable atmospheric pressure which makes pressurized spacesuits unnecessary. It also provides complete protection against space radiation and meteoroids and is useful for aerobraking spacecraft during entry.

2. Nitrogen in atmosphere can be used as plant fertilizer.

3. Indications of cryvolcanism which provide water with which to make breathable oxygen.

Atmosphere of Titan - Wikipedia

-------------------------------------------------


Negatives to colonization are:

1. Extreme cold : 94 K (−179 °C, or −290.2 °F), Far colder than Antarctica

2. An atmosphere making the use of solar power impossible and making insulation from the cold far more difficult than in a vacuum due to heat dissipation.

3. Low surface gravity of 0.138 g, slightly less than that of the Moon/ Which means that there are health risks involved such as skeletal calcium leakage and a gradual muscular atrophy.

4. Crustal instability: There are land features which can swivel 40 miles in a very short period of time making navigation to a specific place a bit uncertain since you never know when it will decide to get up and go while the going’s good.

Climate of Titan - Wikipedia

The Western United States has tons of space and every room comes with free air.
(Limited time offer.)

 

[Radrook]

 

[Radrook]

The Western United States has tons of space and every room comes with free air.
(Limited time offer.)

Thanx for the feedback.
So it is a sin to explore Titan?

 

[SkyWriting]

Thanx for the feedback.
So it is a sin to explore Titan?

UN: Drought-stricken Somalia Has 2 Months to Avert Catastrophe
Worldwide, it's estimated that there are 4.5 million victims of sex trafficking.
• Drought - number of deaths worldwide up to 2016

 

[dysert]

Thanx for the feedback.
So it is a sin to explore Titan?

It wouldn't be a sin. Where'd you get that idea?

 

[Radrook]

It wouldn't be a sin. Where'd you get that idea?

Because the poster that I asked that question had suggested that we have problems here on Earth that require our immediate attention and that diverting resources to outer space when they could be better used here on Earth is inappropriate. Please read post #9.

 

[Radrook]

UN: Drought-stricken Somalia Has 2 Months to Avert Catastrophe
Worldwide, it's estimated that there are 4.5 million victims of sex trafficking.
• Drought - number of deaths worldwide up to 2016

In other words it is a sin because such efforts could be better aimed at helping people in distress on Evart.
Would you apply the same rule to government expenditure on the military?

 

[SkyWriting]

In other words it is a sin because such efforts could be better aimed at helping people in distress on Evart.
Would you apply the same rule to government expenditure on the military?

I wouldn't. The rule of law and order is part of the formula that creates wealth.
Law is why America succeeds.

 

[timewerx]

Mankind is only allowed to venture so far into Space. We know the shape of the brain alters the longer one is in Space. Far better that we work together to make the Earth a better place for all.

No, the Earth is already at a place of no-return.

Those in power are those who worship money and greed and orthodox religions are promoting over-population.

If we try to make Earth a better place by conventional means, we are only delaying the inevitable.

At least those that gets into space don't bring with them the corrupt ways of the world. It's a system of cooperation and professionalism that shuns greed and works for the better of many instead of the few.

Perhaps, after WWIII or a major cataclysm, we better make sure not to repeat the same mistakes we have been making for thousands of years. Let go of the greed!

 

[Radrook]

No, the Earth is already at a place of no-return.

Those in power are those who worship money and greed and orthodox religions are promoting over-population.

If we try to make Earth a better place by conventional means, we are only delaying the inevitable.

At least those that gets into space don't bring with them the corrupt ways of the world. It's a system of cooperation and professionalism that shuns greed and works for the better of many instead of the few.

Perhaps, after WWIII or a major cataclysm, we better make sure not to repeat the same mistakes we have been making for thousands of years. Let go of the greed!

So you feel that being involved in space exploration permanently changes human nature for the better due to the need for cooperation for survival's sake? If indeed we ever get colonize Titan and begin to exploit its resources, and people and corporations start to get rich, what prevents usual human cut-throat competition from emerging and all the nasty behavior associated with it on Earth to arise on Titan as well?

 

[Radrook]

I wouldn't. The rule of law and order is part of the formula that creates wealth. Law is why America succeeds.

So you equate military spending with law and order and wealth but spending on space exploration with unlawfulness and promotion of disorder and poverty? I fail to see how exploration and colonization of Titan and the use of its natural resources can lead to that scenario.

 

[Radrook]

One of the neat things about living on Titan is that you can actually strap on some wings and fly exactly like a bird does.

http://io9.gizmodo.com/humans-might-be-able-to-fly-on-titan-if-they-use-large-1536169825

 

[timewerx]

So you feel that being involved in space exploration permanently changes human nature for the better due to the need for cooperation for survival's sake? If indeed we ever get colonize Titan and begin to exploit its resources, and people and corporations start to get rich, what prevents usual human cut-throat competition from emerging and all the nasty behavior associated with it on Earth to arise on Titan as well?

Space exploration always stir innovation.

Colonization of planets would encourage innovation in the field of sustainability.

Imagine if there's a way to permanently supply yourself of all your needs without having to buy anything, it would greatly undermine the Free Market Economy.

Those who love to control everything with money will lose their power if people could finally survive completely on their own without depending on anyone.

People don't have to work anymore and don't have to buy anything.

That is probably the engineering goals of deep space exploration. That is to have high levels of sustainability with very little maintenance.

 

[lesliedellow]

Titan has lakes of liquid methane, which means its surface temperature is somewhere below -162C. Sounds like just the place to take my holidays.

 

[brinny]

Titan seems inviting to colonization because of the way it mimics earthlike features such as lakes, river tributaries, sand dunes and rains. However, closer inspection is a bit sobering. Lets take a closer look. To begin with the lakes are composed of methane as is the rain.
Lakes of Titan - Wikipedia

---------------------------------------------------------------

Positives to colonization are:

1. Tolerable atmospheric pressure which makes pressurized spacesuits unnecessary. It also provides complete protection against space radiation and meteoroids and is useful for aerobraking spacecraft during entry.

2. Nitrogen in atmosphere can be used as plant fertilizer.

3. Indications of cryvolcanism which provide water with which to make breathable oxygen.

Atmosphere of Titan - Wikipedia

-------------------------------------------------


Negatives to colonization are:

1. Extreme cold : 94 K (−179 °C, or −290.2 °F), Far colder than Antarctica

2. An atmosphere making the use of solar power impossible and making insulation from the cold far more difficult than in a vacuum due to heat dissipation.

3. Low surface gravity of 0.138 g, slightly less than that of the Moon/ Which means that there are health risks involved such as skeletal calcium leakage and a gradual muscular atrophy.

4. Crustal instability: There are land features which can swivel 40 miles in a very short period of time making navigation to a specific place a bit uncertain since you never know when it will decide to get up and go while the going’s good.

Climate of Titan - Wikipedia

Makes me wonder......

who would be adventurous enough and defying-death enough to colonize it?