Astro-physicist Gerald O’Neill envisioned humans making round-trips to other planets for a cost of $3000 by the end of the century.  Being how this was 40 years ago the price might have increased, but we still do not have the capability yet.  O’Neill’s popular paper, “The Colonization of Space,” paired with his optimism, gave the revelation that colonizing space has become more and more feasible, which means we might want to begin planning for it.  

O’Neill’s paper was read in front of a congregation of engineers and scientists at a NASA design studies.  Economist Mark Hopkins said, “The idea was to review his ideas and to see if they were technically feasible,” he continued, “Well, they are.”

A ten-week program was commenced by the scientists to search for the most economically reasonable and technologically viable design for a colony of humans in space.  The space colonization program resulted in concepts that are real possibilities for space colonies.  Our technology is not advanced enough, sadly, but we may be closing in on a time where the plans are put into action.

James C Fletcher, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, had this to say in 1976, “The concept of spacecraft Earth, a sphere of finite resources and ominous pollution, became pervasive and powerful at the same time we first received good photographs of our planetary home… by their efforts to put numbers on an idea, to assess the human and economic implications as well as technical feasibility, the participants in this effort have provided us with a vision that will engage our imagination and stretch our minds.”

The idea of colonies for humans in space is not only one of science-fiction but one of reality.  Our planet is small, when compared to others, and we will eventually run out of space.  It’s funny how the solution to running out of space is going to space.

Sources: timewheel.net