We return to the red planet of Duna - a long time favorite destination for players of KSP.
Government
In thinking of government, one should consider who settles Duna. Corporations would be much more interested in developing the Mun, which has a stronger business case. As a result, some ambitious Kerbin governments, or a wealthy Elon Kerman might try their hand at colonizing Duna. With a government effort, I could imagine the settlement government resembling the colonizing government. On the other hand, a wealthy individual might do whatever they want, to an extent. In contrast to the settlements on the Mun, the early settlements on Duna will likely have more autonomy and be more self-reliant, given the light delay and travel times. Once …show more content…
The answer lies in terraforming. By completely changing the planet of Duna, a new oasis will be brought to life in the Kerbol system. Terraforming can very easily use the resources available on the planet for building the infrastructure to allow the project to happen. This is in contrast to settling space, which will necessitate the use of delta-V or space elevators to bring resources to the construction sites. There is something merely different about being able to walk out into the open air, instead of being trapped in a cylinder or under a dome. For one thing, there is a sense of great security without the threat of an asteroid or habitat breach resulting in asphyxiation for you and countless others. Even if certain infrastructure contributing to the terraforming efort are destroyed, the changes to the climate of Duna will surely be gradual, not near-instant. Terraforming may be a lengthy process, but certain methods can be used to make it less so. Kerbals can use genetics or robotics to allow them to walk on Duna, even if it is only partially terraformed. …show more content…
As a result, you can slowly build more habitats to meet demands, while with terraforming, much of Duna is uninhabitable for the majority of the project. Another threat for terraforming is the potential for interstellar travel to become increasingly more viable. Instead of having to considerably change a world to live on the surface, colonists may instead have to wear minimal gear even when they land, and only a little effort may be required to make the planet fully habitable. As a result, the terraforming project may become an invalid white elephant before it even reaches
Government
In thinking of government, one should consider who settles Duna. Corporations would be much more interested in developing the Mun, which has a stronger business case. As a result, some ambitious Kerbin governments, or a wealthy Elon Kerman might try their hand at colonizing Duna. With a government effort, I could imagine the settlement government resembling the colonizing government. On the other hand, a wealthy individual might do whatever they want, to an extent. In contrast to the settlements on the Mun, the early settlements on Duna will likely have more autonomy and be more self-reliant, given the light delay and travel times. Once …show more content…
The answer lies in terraforming. By completely changing the planet of Duna, a new oasis will be brought to life in the Kerbol system. Terraforming can very easily use the resources available on the planet for building the infrastructure to allow the project to happen. This is in contrast to settling space, which will necessitate the use of delta-V or space elevators to bring resources to the construction sites. There is something merely different about being able to walk out into the open air, instead of being trapped in a cylinder or under a dome. For one thing, there is a sense of great security without the threat of an asteroid or habitat breach resulting in asphyxiation for you and countless others. Even if certain infrastructure contributing to the terraforming efort are destroyed, the changes to the climate of Duna will surely be gradual, not near-instant. Terraforming may be a lengthy process, but certain methods can be used to make it less so. Kerbals can use genetics or robotics to allow them to walk on Duna, even if it is only partially terraformed. …show more content…
As a result, you can slowly build more habitats to meet demands, while with terraforming, much of Duna is uninhabitable for the majority of the project. Another threat for terraforming is the potential for interstellar travel to become increasingly more viable. Instead of having to considerably change a world to live on the surface, colonists may instead have to wear minimal gear even when they land, and only a little effort may be required to make the planet fully habitable. As a result, the terraforming project may become an invalid white elephant before it even reaches