Mirrors in Space

The terraforming effect on Mars of mirrors in orbit above Earth may initially be minimal. If the project seeks to terraform Mars, we may also have to put mirrors close to Mars or on the planet itself, in order to sufficiently heat it up. Some of the sunlight may also have to be directed back to the sun, at times when Mars is not in the spotlight or if it's to hard to aim at Mars.

Initially, the main object of the project will be to reduce global warming. This may give us valuable experience in putting mirrors in orbit around a planet - experience that can be used later, if we do decide to put mirrors in orbit around Mars as well.

Furthermore, the terraforming aspects may just create the little extra interest in the project to make it feasible. Media coverage of the project (and possible revenue from this) is important. Colonizing Mars would be a nice insurance policy if something catastrophic happened to Earth.

Indeed, colonizing Mars may be a long-term project, but it's one way of spreading the risk against meteors hitting earth or any other catastrophic event happening on earth. This will also make it an interesting project for the media to cover. Selling rights to the media to cover the project could raise part of the funding that will initially be required to make a start with it.

Sam Carana
[from: Vital Signs 2005- Vital Facts - May 20 2005]

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Mirrors pointing to Mars

Ice appears to exist on Mars' poles and increased heat will melt this ice. Spaceships have been sent to Mars before. They can be sent again to spread seeds to grow plants. Plants could be genetically modified to suit the Mars environment. Photosynthesis will transform carbon dioxide in the Mars atmosphere into oxygen. More oxygen in the air would decrease the difference between cold and warm temperatures (now more than 100 degrees). Plants could be used for food.

In short, terraforming Mars could result in human habitats built on Mars. Spaceships could sent people to Mars, thus avoiding over-population on Earth, while plants and minerals could be harvested on Mars and sent to earth in the returning spaceships.

To start the project, mirrors could be positioned above earth just like satellites, with solar panels attached. Sunlight will provide the power to keep the mirrors in geo-stationary position. By deflecting sunlight away from earth, the mirrors could be helpful in regard to global warming.

Additionally, the power generated by solar panels could be sent to earth in the form of microwaves, thus providing clean power to earth. The mirrors could be partly financed for their function as communication satellites and for GPS location and navigation services.

Sam Carana
[from: Mirrors pointing to Mars - May 15 2005]

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Terraforming Mars

Over the years, there have been a number of suggestions how Mars could be transformed into a habitable planet.

One such suggestion is to cause a nuclear explosion on Mars that would add heat and trigger a greenhouse effect, as massive amounts of dust would get into the Mars atmosphere.

Another suggestion is to sprinkle dark dust particles that would warm up the poles and absorb sunlight in the atmosphere as well.

Here's a new suggestion. A team of NASA agency Ames recently pointed out that fluorine-based gases could be made from elements that are readily available on Mars.

In particular, a compound called octafluoropropane, or C3F8, could thicken the atmosphere, especially when combined with other gases. Computer modeling showed that adding some 300 parts per million of the gas mixture would spark a runaway greenhouse effect. Frozen carbon dioxide would evaporate, leading to further warming.

An article at New Scientist discusses this at:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6973

One of the things that needs to be studied more closer is the question whether life exist on Mars and if such terraforming could destroy that life. Does anyone have any more ideas?

Anyway, all the above scenarios require expedition to Mars. Here's a suggestion that could be done while staying closer to Earth. How about positioning large mirrors in space pointing sunlight at Mars.

An added advantage of the latter idea could be that, when positioned above earth, such mirrors could deflect some of the sunlight normally shining on Earth to Mars. This way, perhaps some of the negative effects of global warming could be avoided.

Any views on this? How much would it cost?

Sam Carana
[from: Terraforming Mars - February 9 2005]

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