Ep 13. Colonizing Space

The Universe season 2 episode 13, titled "Colonizing Space," explores the concept of human space colonization and the challenges that come with creating permanent settlements beyond Earth. The episode begins by highlighting the current limitations of space travel and the difficulties of sustaining life in a harsh environment such as space. However, experts in the field believe that long-term colonization of other planets is not only possible but necessary for the survival of the human species.

The episode delves into various strategies for space colonization, including terraforming, building self-sustaining habitats, and even genetically modifying humans to adapt to life in space. The experts featured in the episode explain the pros and cons of each approach and what it would take to make it a reality.

One of the biggest challenges facing space colonization is the sheer distance between Earth and other habitable planets. The episode explores different propulsion systems that could enable faster travel times, such as nuclear-powered engines and antimatter engines. The episode also discusses the possibility of using asteroid mining to obtain the resources needed to sustain human life on other planets.

Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to various space projects currently underway, such as the International Space Station and the Mars One project. The experts discuss the benefits of these projects as stepping stones towards human colonization of space and what they can teach us about living in extreme environments.

The episode also considers the social and political implications of space colonization, such as who would be chosen to go on these missions and what kind of government would be established on other planets. The experts weigh in on the ethical considerations and the need for international cooperation in these endeavors.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the timeline for space colonization and the role that individual citizens can play in pushing for progress in this field. The experts emphasize the importance of continued research and development in space exploration and colonization, as well as public support for these initiatives.

Overall, "Colonizing Space" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the possibilities and challenges of human colonization of space. It presents a range of perspectives on this complex issue and offers insight into what it would take to make space colonization a reality.