Establishing Earth's First Space Colony ... Now!
Earth Colony 1, Inc. is dedicated to establishing a human colony in space. Since the 1970's humankind has had the technology to establish a space settlement, the vanguard to a new era in human history. Space colonization would bring many substantial benefits including:
There are also less tangible effects to settling among the stars. Humanity's collective spirit would be revitalized and refocused on the opportunities in space, ushering in an era of unprecedented opportunity and international cooperation. This is preferable to the current situation where growing human population places increasing demands on earth's limited resources (e.g., oil, iron ore) resulting in an inevitable increase in conflict.
Solar energy from our sun is available in comparatively unlimited quantity and should be a major component in freeing humankind from their dependence on the waning supply of fossil fuels. Resources mined from lunar materials and asteroids can provide a large portion of the raw materials we need to sustain life in space.
The zero gravity environment offers interesting intrinsic benefits. By designing structures to provide specialized environments targeting agriculture, manufacturing, and scientific research we can establish localized communities that are self supporting. By controlling exposure to sunlight every crop can be grown year round in ideal conditions, pest free. Heavy manufacturing can benefit from the weightless environment by eliminating the challenges associated with supporting and manipulating heavy equipment.
Since the cold war we have all been aware of the nuclear threat to humankind but there are many other dangers as well. Global warming, over population, large asteroids striking earth, and biological threats all pose risks to humankinds very survival. So long as we remain dependant on Earth, humanity is exposed to the risk of possible extinction by either a single calamity or the slower, irreversible destruction of the environment we rely on. Humankind's exposure to risk is magnified by the fact that establishing the first space colony will take many decades. This is why we can no longer wait.
The challenges, though significant, are not insurmountable. Many cite the high cost of launching the necessary materials into space as the most significant challenge to establishing a first space colony. Waiting for our governments to find the means, or for industry to find a way to profit, unnecessarily delays the realization of the first human colony in space. Though both governments and commercial interests have vital roles to play, they necessarily have alternative agendas. Earth Colony 1, Inc., is a nonprofit organization with no ulterior motives.
In the late 1970's Gerard K. O'Neil wrote "The High Frontier" establishing a seminal vision for the human colonization of space. This work serves as a starting point for Earth Colony 1, Inc. O'Neil estimated that the venture would cost roughly $100 billion dollars. Earth Colony 1, Inc. takes the position that the large costs can most quickly be overcome by publicising the need and spreading the cost across the broadest base of humanity. With world population now over 6 billion people, a contribution of roughly $17 for each person could provide the necessary funding. O'Neil's vision does not require that all materials be lifted from earth, but rather employs a staged approach to "prime the pump" until we reach an "ignition point". A point at which the commercialization and industrialization of space will make space colonization economically viable. Earth Colony 1, Inc., is here to prime the pump.
Humankind has waited too long to pursue this vital objective. Earth Colony 1, Inc. has been formed for the sole purpose of establishing this first colony and relies on human ingenuity, focus that can only be achieved by single-minded purpose, and your generosity to succeed. Harnessing solar power for energy, advancing biosphere and space station technologies, Earth Colony 1, Inc., will jump start the human settlement of our solar system. We have the technology...the time is Now!
Please see our donations page if you are interested in donating to help colonize space.
