Outer Space Colonization

[Lightkeeper]

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Humans must colonize planets in other solar systems traveling there using "Star Trek"-style propulsion or face extinction, renowned British cosmologist Stephen Hawking said on Thursday.

Referring to complex theories and the speed of light, Hawking, the wheel-chair bound Cambridge University physicist, told BBC radio that theoretical advances could revolutionize the velocity of space travel and make such colonies possible.

"Sooner or later disasters such as an asteroid collision or a nuclear war could wipe us all out," said Professor Hawking, who was crippled by a muscle disease at the age of 21 and who speaks through a computerized voice synthesizer.

"But once we spread out into space and establish independent colonies, our future should be safe," said Hawking, who was due to receive the world's oldest award for scientific achievement, the Copley medal, from Britain's Royal Society on Thursday.

Previous winners include Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin.

In order to survive, humanity would have to venture off to other hospitable planets orbiting another star, but conventional chemical fuel rockets that took man to the moon on the Apollo mission would take 50,000 years to travel there, he said.

Hawking, a 64-year-old father of three who rarely gives interviews and who wrote the best-selling "A Brief History of Time", suggested propulsion like that used by the fictional starship Enterprise "to boldly go where no man has gone before" could help solve the problem.

"Science fiction has developed the idea of warp drive, which takes you instantly to your destination," said.

"Unfortunately, this would violate the scientific law which says that nothing can travel faster than light."

However, by using "matter/antimatter annihilation", velocities just below the speed of light could be reached, making it possible to reach the next star in about six years.

"It wouldn't seem so long for those on board," he said.

The scientist revealed he also wanted to try out space travel himself, albeit by more conventional means.

"I am not afraid of death but I'm in no hurry to die. My next goal is to go into space," said Hawking.

And referring to the British entrepreneur and Virgin tycoon who has set up a travel agency to take private individuals on space flights from 2008, Hawking said: "Maybe Richard Branson will help me."

Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/1...eut/index.html

What do you think? Is it possible? Will it happen?

[bahai-sojourner]

"I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves and hired policemen to enforce them. We, of the other planets, have long accepted this principle. We have an organization for the mutual protection of all planets and for the complete elimination of aggression. The test of any such higher authority is, of course, the police force that supports it. For our policemen, we created a race of robots. Their function is to patrol the planets in spaceships like this one and preserve the peace. In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us. This power cannot be revoked. At the first sign of violence, they act automatically against the aggressor. The penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk. The result is, we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war. Free to pursue more... profitable enterprises. Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you. "

Michael Rennie, as Klaatu, in The Day The Earth Stood Still

Those lines were spoken in 1951, but I think that they're just as if not more applicable today, especially the portions I have highlighted.

Unless and until we learn to get along on our own planet, we have absolutely no business imposing our ways on other worlds.

[arthra]

I'm a great fan of "The Day the Earth Stood Still"...

There's also a parallel film that appeared in 1959 (also starring Patricia Neal) "Stranger from Venus". Helmut Dantine appeared as the alien in almost exactly the same way that Michael Rennie in the better known 1951 film.

The premise of both films is remarkably similar but "Stranger from Venus" occurs in a fairly isolated English country village.

- Art

[Rev. Rex]

I believe that it has been possible to colonize space for some time, and that it is just a matter of time before we do. I see this as a big positive. Most of the problems with man seem to stem from simple egotistical arrogance. But living in an environment as hostile as space, and being able to see the man-beast for what he is...a frail and rather insignificant creature, might just begin to temper that arrogance.

Case in point...most indigenous people who live in the harsher environments on Earth, such as the Eskimos and Inuits, are seldom arrogant, and in fact are among the most helpful and loving of people. Assuming that this is because of where they live, how much more helpful, loving, and humble would man become in an environment that is a thousand times more harsh than any found on Earth?