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Asked by aisha4509 to Dilwar, Lou, Rachel, Simon, Susan on 16 Nov 2013. This question was also asked by dizzyg12, mizzlily.
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Susan Skelton answered on 16 Nov 2013:
I really hope so!
For me, the most exciting thing about science is exploring the world around us. Humans have already explored most of planet Earth (at least on land!), and personally, I would love for us to venture out into space!
It’s even possible that we won’t have a choice if our own planet becomes uninhabitable.
Scientists have been looking for planets which might be able to support life for a long time. Within our own solar systems, possible planets that we might be able to move to could be one of Jupiter’s moons, called Europa, or even Mars.
This might happen much sooner rather than later as a company called Mars One is currently accepting volunteers to move to Mars for a reality TV show!! Departure for the red planet is scheduled for 2022, and the volunteers will never return. Tens of thousands of people have already applied, so if you want to go, better get your application in quick! 😉
Outside the solar system, NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft discovered a new planet a few weeks ago. The planet, called Kepler-22b, is so similar to Earth that scientists think it has a very high chance of being habitable. It is located 600 light-years away from Earth and orbits a star very like our own sun. This planet is 2.4 times bigger than Earth and is almost the same temperature (22 degrees on the surface), so it sounds like it would be perfect if we humans ever need a new home!
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Simon Langley-Evans answered on 16 Nov 2013:
Yes- definitely. Humans are the most inventive, inquisitive and determined species on Earth. If there is the will for governments to spend the money to put on the mission then it will happen.
The first step will be to build a moon base and that should be relatively simple to do. From there we will be able to mine water and minerals from the moon. The water will provide fuel for craft to travel to Mars and maybe some of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn.
I would volunteer to go, but my wife doesn’t want to come with me, so I’ve had to let that idea go.
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Rachel Dakin answered on 19 Nov 2013:
I think so. Technology has advanced so much over just the last decade that I think we could get there in the future.
To me there’s quite a difference in being able to ‘live’ on another planet and have a life. By that I just mean we might be able to sort out a source of food, water and energy so we could survive. But to have the kind of amenities we do on earth which make us have varied lives would be a lot harder.
I think I’d want to wait for the full city to be built before I go : )
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