Astronomers believe they have discovered a new planet in the solar system the size of Mars. A recent research paper claims there is a massive object lurking on the edge of our solar system that is likely to be a previously undiscovered world. It follows suggestions last year that another planet, nicknamed Planet 9, appeared to be orbiting the sun from the outer regions of the solar system.
Scientists said the most probable explanation for the discrepancy was the existence of a planet, similar in size to Mars, at the edge of the solar system.
"The most likely explanation for our results is that there is some unseen mass," Dr Volk said. "According to our calculations, something as massive as Mars would be needed to cause the warp that we measured."
The first thing to do is to send people there. Some webpages, suggest 40,000 people. You need a large group of different genetic and demographic diverstity, giving the sttelment the best chance of survival during the long space volyage and beyond. Another option is sending frozen sperm and eggs on the volyage with a limited number of people.
The point is to achieve self-sufficiently.
People need other people around or be able to get in touch with those. This is one of the psychological effects of being away in space. We have to allow communication between Earth and this planet. NASA has developed computer programs to assist crews with personal and interpersonal issues in absence of direct communications with people on earth. Obviously, selecting people to go on this planet will require psychological screenings.
We have adventurous people. But need people who can adapt to whatever comes their way. We need people who are creative and can use these ideas to implement something practical.
This planet has enormous resources, but we have to be careful not to overmine them. We must be conserative with our natural resources.
This means limits on how much energy you use and how much you eat. Tight control will have to be the NORMAL. We have to learn to conserve our energy and our output (waste).
The key is the people. People need to understand that while supplies appear to be plentiful, supplies need to be handle as they are not endless.
In our history, you will see revolts often when there is a tight control over people and what they can do. Unfortunately, we will need rules to govern over us in such an environment.
Hopefully in the future, we will be able to handle the rules, as long as they are fair.
Here is to the Future! Will we be able to handle it!
The path to a human colony could be prepared by robotic systems.These systems could help locate resources, such as ground water or ice, that would help a colony grow and thrive. The lifetimes of these systems would be measured in years and even decades, and as recent developments in commercial spaceflight have shown, it may be that these systems will involve private as well as government ownership. These robotic systems also have a reduced cost compared with early crewed operations, and have less political risk.