When will space be colonized? NHHS science teachers, students weigh in

SUMMER GRACE

     Recently, many scientists, organizations, and countries have been participating in the space race. According to Spacefarers, a novel was written by Science Journalist Christopher Wanjek, China is preparing to send crewed missions to the moon by the 2030s. Elon Musk, SpaceX founder is hoping to “take people to the Red Planet, while Bigelow Aerospace is drawing up plans for Earth-orbiting hotels,” as stated by Wanjek. 

        Science teacher Timothy Dougherty thinks space exploration should be one of the least of our concerns. “It is expensive and with our planet amid a catastrophe called climate change, perhaps we should dedicate our research and development to the solving of this problem first,” he says. 

     Aaron Huth, a junior, also thinks colonizing space isn’t a good idea. “Space is a beautiful place and humans shouldn’t be responsible for tarnishing other planets,” Huth shares. He says he wouldn’t want any part of space besides earth to be ruined. “Wall-E was one of those movies that showed that we need to take better care of our planet and if we can’t take care of our planet why should we go expand out to others,” Huth adds on. 

     “Colonizing space is such an intriguing topic,” states science teacher Douglas Heeter. He compares colonizing space to the early explorers that went out to settle on new lands, as “various regions of space would offer another new adventure.” Mr. Heeter thinks there are quite a few logistical points that have to be considered, “Mainly what is needed to create a contained environment with all of the needs we have here on Earth that enable us to survive.”