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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