No City on Mars: A Deep Dive into the Wienersmiths' Controversial Book on Space Settlement
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In the latest episode of This Week in Space, host Rod Pyle and guest co-host Isaac Arthur are joined by Dale Skran, COO and Senior VP of the National Space Society, to discuss the recent book "A City on Mars" by Kelly and Zack Wienersmith. The book takes a humorous yet skeptical look at the feasibility and challenges of space settlement, sparking a lively debate among the hosts and guest about the potential benefits and drawbacks of human expansion into space
Dale Skran, who wrote a comprehensive 40,000-word review of the book, argues that while "A City on Mars" raises important issues, it is overly pessimistic about the potential for space development. He points out the lack of recent popular books advocating for space settlement and the significance of the Wienersmiths' work in reigniting the conversation, even if he disagrees with their conclusions.
The discussion delves into the value of space resources, with the hosts and guest debating the economic viability of asteroid mining and space solar power. While the Wienersmiths express skepticism about these ideas, Skran and Arthur maintain that there is tremendous potential for space development, given the vast resources available beyond Earth.
The conversation also touches on the need for regulations in space to prevent environmental damage and ensure fair usage of resources, without stifling development. The hosts and guest agree that striking the right balance is crucial for the future of space exploration and settlement.
One of the key challenges discussed is the importance of researching the effects of gravity on human reproduction and health for long-term space habitation. The hosts express concern about the lack of research on artificial gravity by NASA and the potential implications for space settlement. Skran suggests the idea of dual-gravity habitats as a possible solution, enabling reproduction in space while allowing for work in low-gravity environments.
The episode also explores societal models in space, comparing the idealistic vision of "Star Trek" to the gritty realism of "The Expanse." The hosts and guest discuss the likelihood of conflict in space settlements and the limitations of using historical analogies, such as the American western expansion, to envision the future of space exploration.
Throughout the episode, the hosts and guest engage in a thought-provoking and sometimes contentious discussion about the challenges and opportunities of space settlement. While they may not agree on all points, their conversation highlights the importance of ongoing debate and research in shaping the future of human expansion into space.
To hear the full discussion and learn more about the Wienersmiths' book "A City on Mars," tune in to the latest episode of This Week in Space.
