The Path to Establishing a New Life in Space

The Path to Establishing a New Life in Space

To establish a new life in space, pressurized vessels capable of collecting large amounts of water and atmospheric gases in small volumes must be present on the spacecraft to sustain living beings before a continuous life cycle—initiated by autotrophic plants and archaea that release water as a byproduct of metabolic activity—can begin.

To achieve this, you will first need a sufficiently large spacecraft or multiple spacecraft. Beyond the standard requirements for launch, the ships must carry: every variety of plant seed, perforated glass jars equal to the number of seeds, a supply of water, minerals, and atmospheric gases. Furthermore, animal species with diverse nutritional diets (including both sexes), various types of fungal spores, insect larvae, food supplies stored in vacuum bags, and pollinating insects like bees and butterflies must be transported, along with several astronauts as controllers. Each spacecraft should also be equipped with air and water sprayers to distribute resources to all living beings. Until a full life cycle is established at the final settlement, astronauts must meet their nutritional needs through the vacuumed food packages brought with them.

The temperature required for plant growth should be maintained both on the spacecraft and at the final settlement using various reflectors and concentrators operating part-time. The necessary humidity can be provided by archaea, which release excess water from their metabolic activities once the initial water supply on the ship is exhausted.

All materials used in the spacecraft should be produced from the lightest possible components.

Now, I would like to share my thoughts on the life to be initiated in space. For instance, I believe the first step should be taken on Mars, considering that humans might adapt more easily due to its atmospheric pressure. Although I am aware it does not contain the same gases as Earth's atmosphere, I think initial attempts should be made on Mars because of the convenience I expect that pressure to provide for the adaptation of living beings. Of course, the process starts with greenhouses, and the walls of these greenhouses must use glass that dilutes radioactive rays to protect the plants from harmful solar radiation. Additionally, filtered air pipes that exhaust greenhouse gases should be integrated into the greenhouse system.

In these greenhouses, plants will benefit from the oxygen produced by archaea until more plants grow, thus creating a self-sufficient plant ecosystem. Subsequently, pollinating insects such as butterflies and bees should be added to ensure the reproduction and development of the plants.

Once all these conditions are met, animal species—starting primarily with herbivores and carnivores—should be sent to establish their own life cycles. Finally, omnivorous species, including humans, should be sent as colonies once all their requirements are met, completing a new life cycle at the final destination in space.

I believe that only in this way can the desired results be achieved.

Written by: Emre Pelit