Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
Planetary engineering
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
{{Short description|Influencing a planet's global environments}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} '''Planetary engineering''' is the development and application of technology for the purpose of influencing the environment of a [[planet]]. Planetary engineering encompasses a variety of methods such as [[terraforming]], [[wikt:seeding|seeding]], and [[geoengineering]]. Widely discussed in the scientific community, terraforming refers to the alteration of other planets to create a habitable environment for terrestrial life. Seeding refers to the introduction of life from [[Earth]] to habitable planets. [[Climate engineering|Geoengineering]] refers to the engineering of a planet's climate, and has already been applied on Earth. Each of these methods are composed of varying approaches and possess differing levels of feasibility and ethical concern. ==Terraforming== {{Main|Terraforming}} [[File:SRMtemperature-projections.jpg|thumb|Projected temperature and precipitation changes relative to preindustrial; end-of-century response without (a) and with (b) geoengineering to avoid temperature rise above 1.5C.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=MacMartin |first1=Douglas G. |last2=Ricke |first2=Katharine L. |last3=Keith |first3=David W. |title=Solar geoengineering as part of an overall strategy for meeting the 1.5°C Paris target |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences |date=13 May 2018 |volume=376 |issue=2119 |page=20160454 |doi=10.1098/rsta.2016.0454 |pmid=29610384 |pmc=5897825 |bibcode=2018RSPTA.37660454M }}</ref>]] [[File:Terraforming_of_Mars.jpg|thumb|A theoretical design for a power station on Mars. Terraforming designs are not yet planned.]] Terraforming is the process of modifying the [[atmosphere]], [[temperature]], surface topography or [[ecology]] of a planet, moon, or other body in order to replicate the environment of Earth. === Technologies === A common object of discussion on potential terraforming is the planet Mars. To terraform Mars, humans would need to create a new atmosphere, due to the planet's high carbon dioxide concentration and low atmospheric pressure. This would be possible by introducing more greenhouse gases to below "freezing point from indigenous materials".<ref name="Pollack & Sagan 1993">{{cite book |last1=Pollack |first1=James B. |last2=Sagan |first2=Carl |chapter=Planetary engineering |pages=921–950 |chapter-url=http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/ResourcesNearEarthSpace/resources33.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624205541/http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/ResourcesNearEarthSpace/resources33.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2010 |editor1-last=Lewis |editor1-first=John S. |editor2-last=Matthews |editor2-first=Mildred Shapley |editor3-last=Guerrieri |editor3-first=Mary L. |title=Resources of Near-Earth Space |date=1993 |publisher=University of Arizona Press |isbn=978-0-8165-1404-5 }}</ref> To terraform Venus, carbon dioxide would need to be converted to graphite since Venus receives twice as much sunlight as Earth. This process is only possible if the greenhouse effect is removed with the use of "high-altitude absorbing fine particles" or a sun shield, creating a more habitable Venus.<ref name="Pollack & Sagan 1993"/> NASA has defined categories of habitability systems and technologies for terraforming to be feasible.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Habitats, Habitability, and Human Factors |url=https://sbir.nasa.gov/content/habitats-habitability-and-human-factors |access-date=5 November 2021 |website=NASA SBIR & STTR Program |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027102422/https://sbir.nasa.gov/content/habitats-habitability-and-human-factors |url-status=live }}</ref> These topics include creating power-efficient systems for preserving and packaging food for crews, preparing and cooking foods, dispensing water, and developing facilities for rest, trash and recycling, and areas for crew hygiene and rest.<ref name=":1" /> === Feasibility === A variety of planetary engineering challenges stand in the way of terraforming efforts. The atmospheric terraforming of Mars, for example, would require "significant quantities of gas" to be added to the Martian atmosphere.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |last1=Jakosky |first1=Bruce M. |last2=Edwards |first2=Christopher S. |title=Inventory of {{CO2}} available for terraforming Mars |journal=Nature Astronomy |date=August 2018 |volume=2 |issue=8 |pages=634–639 |doi=10.1038/s41550-018-0529-6 |bibcode=2018NatAs...2..634J |s2cid=133894463 }}</ref> This gas has been thought to be stored in solid and liquid form within Mars' polar ice caps and underground reservoirs. It is unlikely, however, that enough {{CO2}} for sufficient atmospheric change is present within Mars' polar deposits, and liquid {{CO2}} could only be present at warmer temperatures "deep within the crust".<ref name=":2" /> Furthermore, sublimating the entire volume of Mars' polar caps would increase its current atmospheric pressure to 15 millibar, where an increase to around 1000 millibar would be required for habitability.<ref name=":2" /> For reference, Earth's average sea-level pressure is [[Atmospheric pressure|1013.25 mbar]]. First formally proposed by astrophysicist Carl Sagan, the terraforming of Venus has since been discussed through methods such as organic molecule-induced carbon conversion, sun reflection, increasing planetary spin, and various chemical means.<ref name=terra1>{{cite journal | last1 = Fogg | first1 = M. J. | year = 1987 | title = The Terraforming of Venus | journal = Journal of the British Interplanetary Society | volume = 40 | pages = 551–564 | bibcode=1987JBIS...40..551F}}</ref> Due to the high presence of sulfuric acid and solar wind on Venus, which are harmful to organic environments, organic methods of carbon conversion have been found unfeasible.<ref name=terra1/> Other methods, such as solar shading, hydrogen bombardment, and magnesium-calcium bombardment are theoretically sound but would require large-scale resources and space technologies not yet available to humans.<ref name=terra1/> === Ethical considerations === While successful terraforming would allow life to prosper on other planets, philosophers have debated whether this practice is morally sound. Certain ethics experts suggest that planets like Mars hold an intrinsic value independent of their utility to humanity and should therefore be free from human interference.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=The Ethics of Terraforming {{!}} Issue 38 |url=https://philosophynow.org/issues/38/The_Ethics_of_Terraforming |access-date=5 November 2021 |website=Philosophy Now |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105014517/https://philosophynow.org/issues/38/The_Ethics_of_Terraforming |url-status=live }}</ref> Also, some argue that through the steps that are necessary to make Mars habitable - such as fusion reactors, space-based solar-powered lasers, or spreading a thin layer of soot on Mars' polar ice caps - would deteriorate the current aesthetic value that Mars possesses.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sparrow |first1=Robert |title=The Ethics of Terraforming |journal=Environmental Ethics |date=Fall 1999 |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=227–245 |doi= 10.1007/978-90-481-9920-4_124 |url=https://robsparrow.com/wp-content/uploads/The-ethics-of-terraforming.pdf |access-date=April 21, 2023}}</ref> This calls into question humanity's intrinsic ethical and moral values, as it raises the question of whether humanity is willing to eradicate the current ecosystem of another planet for their benefit.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sparrow |first1=Robert |title=The Ethics of Terraforming |journal=Environmental Ethics |date=Fall 1999 |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=227–245 |doi=10.1007/978-90-481-9920-4_124 |url=https://robsparrow.com/wp-content/uploads/The-ethics-of-terraforming.pdf |access-date=April 21, 2023}}</ref> Through this ethical framework, terraforming attempts on these planets could be seen to threaten their intrinsically valuable environments, rendering these efforts unethical.<ref name=":6" /> ==Seeding== [[File:Mars Hubble.jpg|thumb|NASA's Hubble Space Telescope took the picture of Mars on June 26, 2001, when Mars was approximately 68 million kilometers (43 million miles) from Earth — the closest Mars has ever been to Earth since 1988. Hubble can see details as small as 16 kilometers (10 miles) across. The colors have been carefully balanced to give a realistic view of Mars' hues as they might appear through a telescope. Especially striking is the large amount of seasonal dust storm activity seen in this image. One large storm system is churning high above the northern polar cap (top of image), and a smaller dust storm cloud can be seen nearby. Another large dust storm is spilling out of the giant Hellas impact basin in the Southern Hemisphere (lower right) exploration.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lopez-Arreguin |first1=A.J.R. |last2=Montenegro |first2=S. |title=Improving engineering models of terramechanics for planetary exploration |journal=Results in Engineering |date=September 2019 |volume=3 |page=100027 |doi=10.1016/j.rineng.2019.100027 |s2cid=202783328 |doi-access=free }}</ref>]] === Environmental considerations === Mars is the primary subject of discussion for seeding. Locations for seeding are chosen based on atmospheric temperature, air pressure, existence of harmful radiation, and availability of natural resources, such as water and other compounds essential to terrestrial life.<ref name="Todd">{{cite journal |last1=Todd |first1=Paul |title=Planetary biology and terraforming |journal=Gravitational and Space Biology |date=August 2006 |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=79–85 |id={{Gale|A176373142}} |url=http://gravitationalandspaceresearch.org/index.php/journal/article/view/11 }}</ref> === Developing microorganisms for seeding === Natural or engineered microorganisms must be created or discovered that can withstand the harsh environments of Mars. The first organisms used must be able to survive exposure to ionizing radiation and the high concentration of {{CO2}} present in the Martian atmosphere.<ref name="Todd" /> Later organisms such as multicellular plants must be able to withstand the freezing temperatures, withstand high {{CO2}} levels, and produce significant amounts of {{chem2|O2}}. Microorganisms provide significant advantages over non-biological mechanisms. They are self-replicating, negating the needs to either transport or manufacture large machinery to the surface of Mars. They can also perform complicated chemical reactions with little maintenance to realize planet-scale terraforming.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Conde-Pueyo |first1=Nuria |last2=Vidiella |first2=Blai |last3=Sardanyés |first3=Josep |last4=Berdugo |first4=Miguel |last5=Maestre |first5=Fernando T. |last6=de Lorenzo |first6=Victor |last7=Solé |first7=Ricard |title=Synthetic Biology for Terraformation Lessons from Mars, Earth, and the Microbiome |journal=Life |date=9 February 2020 |volume=10 |issue=2 |page=14 |doi=10.3390/life10020014 |pmid=32050455 |pmc=7175242 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2020Life...10...14C }}</ref> == Climate engineering == {{Main|Climate engineering}} [[File:MarsTransitionV.jpg|thumb|Impression of the hypothetical phrases of the terraforming of Mars]] [[Climate engineering]] is a form of planetary engineering which involves the process of deliberate and large-scale alteration of the Earth's climate system to combat climate change.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=What is Climate Engineering?|url=https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/what-climate-engineering|access-date=27 October 2021|website=Union of Concerned Scientists|language=en|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027225649/https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/what-climate-engineering|url-status=live}}</ref> Examples of geoengineering are carbon dioxide removal (CDR), which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and [[solar radiation modification]] (SRM) to reflect solar energy to space.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=9 May 2018|title=Explainer: Six ideas to limit global warming with solar geoengineering|url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/explainer-six-ideas-to-limit-global-warming-with-solar-geoengineering|access-date=1 November 2021|website=Carbon Brief|language=en|archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101225428/https://www.carbonbrief.org/explainer-six-ideas-to-limit-global-warming-with-solar-geoengineering|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Carbon dioxide removal]] (CDR) has multiple practices, the simplest being [[reforestation]], to more complex processes such as [[direct air capture]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Effectively removing {{CO2}} from the atmosphere|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210813100255.htm|access-date=27 October 2021|website=ScienceDaily|language=en|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027230911/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210813100255.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The latter is rather difficult to deploy on an industrial scale, for high costs and substantial energy usage would be some aspects to address.<ref name=":4" /> Examples of SRM include [[stratospheric aerosol injection]] (SAI) and [[marine cloud brightening]] (MCB).<ref name=":4" /> When a volcano erupts, small particles known as [[aerosol]]s proliferate throughout the atmosphere, reflecting the sun's energy back into space.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Volcanoes Can Affect Climate|url=https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards/volcanoes-can-affect-climate|access-date=1 November 2021|website=USGS|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031123358/https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards/volcanoes-can-affect-climate|url-status=live}}</ref> This results in a cooling effect, and humanity could conceivably inject these aerosols into the stratosphere, spurring large-scale cooling.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> [[File:ShipTracks.jpg|thumb|Visible ship tracks in the Northern Pacific, on 4 March 2009. On an overcast day, the clouds look uniform. However, NASA MODIS images' sensor reveals long, skinny trails of brighter clouds hidden within. As ships travel across the ocean, pollution in the ships' exhaust create more cloud drops that are smaller in size, resulting in even brighter clouds.]] One proposal for MCB involves spraying a vapor into low-laying sea clouds, creating more cloud condensation nuclei.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Proposed Geoengineering Technologies|url=https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/technologies/|access-date=3 November 2021|website=Geoengineering Monitor|language=en-US|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103232453/https://www.geoengineeringmonitor.org/technologies/|url-status=live}}</ref> This would in theory result in the cloud becoming whiter, and reflecting light more efficiently.<ref name=":3" /> ==See also== * [[Astroengineering]] * [[Macro-engineering]] * [[Megascale engineering]] * [[Moving the Earth]] * [[Virgin Earth Challenge]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== * {{cite encyclopedia|last=Angelo|first=Joseph A. Jr. |title=Planetary engineering |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of space and astronomy|pages=462–462|year=2006|publisher=Facts On File|location=New York |isbn=978-1-4381-1018-9 }} * {{cite journal |last1=Sagan |first1=Carl |title=Planetary engineering on Mars |journal=Icarus |date=December 1973 |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=513–514 |doi=10.1016/0019-1035(73)90026-2 |bibcode=1973Icar...20..513S }} {{Portal|Energy}} ==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150911231528/http://www.worldchanging.com/archives//008364.html Geoengineering: A Worldchanging Retrospective] – Overview of articles on geoengineering from the sustainability site [[Worldchanging]] {{Engineering fields}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Planetary engineering}} [[Category:Planetary engineering| ]] [[Category:Space colonization]] [[Category:Engineering disciplines]]
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page
(
help
)
:
Template:CO2
(
edit
)
Template:Chem2
(
edit
)
Template:Cite book
(
edit
)
Template:Cite encyclopedia
(
edit
)
Template:Cite journal
(
edit
)
Template:Cite web
(
edit
)
Template:Engineering fields
(
edit
)
Template:Main
(
edit
)
Template:Portal
(
edit
)
Template:Reflist
(
edit
)
Template:Short description
(
edit
)
Template:Use dmy dates
(
edit
)