THE INFINITE FRONTIERS

As we move into space in a permanent manner, we will encounter many frontiers: physical, social, cultural, scientific. There will be many physical frontiers as we push ever farther from Earth across our solar system, past our neighboring stars, across our galaxy, and beyond. We might be as surprised by the manner in which these things are done as by the things we find.

Introduction
Exploration
Settlements
Societies
Science
Inner Solar System
Outer Solar System
Interstellar and Beyond
Main Menu

2000 January 22

Introduction

As a species, we face an ever unfolding set of frontiers that challenge both our intellect and our determination. Our survival depends on successfully meeting these challenges.

Our very brief time as a civilized species has not allowed us to develop a long-term, large-scale philosophy with which to look at ourselves and our environment. Such an outlook will be a necessity for long-term survival.

Our local spatial environment has been quite constant for longer than the time of our civilization, which was founded nearly seven thousand years ago. However, change is an integral part of our environment. Solar output changes, asteroids impact on planets, stars swell and balloon out over immense distances, some stars explode, stars age and die, shock waves sweep across galaxies, galaxies collide. Change itself is the only constant.

Our environment is neither hostile nor benign. It simply goes its own way, changing without regard for the life forms struggling to survive within. As a species, we must take responsibility for our own survival. We must challenge the infinite frontiers.

Exploration

Exploration is essential to understanding the cosmic environment in which we live. We are already using three methods of exploration: remote observation of distant regions, robotic exploration of regions people cannot yet reach, and human exploration. Exploration, expecially human exploration, is the precursor to establishing settlements.

Settlements

The first settlements that humans establish beyond Earth will most likely be in Earth orbit, on our Moon, and on Mars. Later settlements could be established throughout the solar system, either on planetary (or satellite) surfaces, or in large artificial planetoids. In the more distant future, settlements could exist beyond our solar system.

Societies

When people leave Earth to settle beyond, it is likely that societies will be established with new structures, social contracts, and forms of government. Some groups may chose to not have political governments. We could see a long period of social experimentation, which might be considered a continuation of the social evolution that began about three hundred years ago, when people established societies without monarchs.

Humans and machines might someday create a joint sociey as true machine intelligence arrives. Humans might assist in the evolution or genetic alteration of other terrestrial species to increase their level of intelligence to the point where they could participate in a joint society.

Further in the future, we might join with civilized species from other stellar systems to create joint civilizations. This could be done where there is physical contact, or by communications across distances that cannot be traversed.

Science and Technology

Only a hundred years ago, some people were convinced that the only future gains in science were adding a few more decimals in precision, and that nearly everything worth inventing had already been invented. We are slightly more humble today. We expect science and technology to continue advancing.

Scientific gains will continue to expand the knowledge base for technological advances, but just as importantly, will increase our knowledge of the Universe in which we live. Our philosophies and our perspectives will change as we gain a greater understanding of all of the sciences.

Our future technologies will certainly dwarf those of today. The scales on which we can exert control will expand upward, especially as we move into space, and they will expand inward to the extremely small. Our biological technologies will enable us to control more diseases and degenerative conditions, leading to better health and longer lives, perhaps ones that can span centuries. Our psychological and social sciences and technologies will advance substantially, especially with what seems to be a likely proliferation of new societies beyond Earth.

Inner Solar System

The inner solar system contains extensive resources and has abundant solar energy to support settlements. Trip times between locations in this region are also reasonable, so we are likely to keep human exploration and settlements within this region for perhaps the next century or more.

Outer Solar System

The outer solar system will be thoroughly explored by robotic craft in the coming century. Later, human exploration and settlements will also take place in this region. Resources are extensive, but distances are great and solar energy is diluted, making settlements costly and difficult.

Interstellar and Beyond

At some time, presumably within the next millenium, humans will begin interstellar travel. The voyages might be one way only, so that interstellar settlements will be part of the initial exploration. Galactic and intergalactic travel is a possibility for the distant future, but will require technologies beyond what we can foresee.