Space is the ultimate infinity to me, in its vast and never-ending darkness lies stars, galaxies, and universes that we may never reach that shine ever on in all their breathtaking glory. As humans, we have the privilege to take a peek into this vastness through telescopes or other brilliant devices, some devices we build just to detect the subtlest of waves, and some we build to marvel at how big celestial bodies interact. We do this for many reasons, one of the most important being to try and unravel the mystery of how the Universe began – the origin of its creation and the extraordinary “bang” that set us in motion.
But space isn’t just about understanding the past, it’s also about our future. As a species, we look to space as a means of survival. Even though we tend to push to the back of our mind the dangers our specie face daily, from pandemics to natural disasters, nations armed with nuclear weapons, pollution on Earth, and other dangers that lie in space, like asteroids. Remember what happened to the dinosaurs? For these reasons and many others, it has become extremely important to consider how we as a specie will survive if calamity befalls the beautiful planet we call home like it has multiple times throughout our short history.
The primary argument calling for space colonization is the long-term survival of human civilization and terrestrial life. By developing alternative locations off Earth, the planet’s species, including humans, could live on in the event of natural or human-made disasters on our own planet. As a metaverse expert, I find it particularly intriguing to explore how the creation of virtual worlds & immersive technologies can be used in the context of space colonization. With the growing impact and value of the metaverse, now is the perfect time to dive into this topic. Join me on this journey as we uncover the potential of immersive technology in space colonization.
What is a Simulation?
A simulation is a way of mimicking real-world scenarios and events using computer programs and immersive technologies. It allows us to test and predict the behavior of systems, processes, and even entire environments, without having to physically carry out the actions in the real world. Giving the flexibility ‘visualize’ or ‘determine’ the impact of certain decisions, actions… etc. From engineering and physics to finance and social sciences, simulations are a powerful tool for exploring different possibilities and understanding complex systems in a safe and controlled environment.
What are immersive technologies?
Immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Extended Reality (XR) aim to create a sense of immersion and presence in a virtual or augmented environment. VR creates a fully simulated digital world that users can interact with through specialized equipment. AR overlays digital information in the real world, enhancing users’ perception of reality. MR combines virtual and real-world elements to create an interactive environment. XR is an umbrella term that encompasses all of these technologies, and they have the potential to transform various industries such as entertainment, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. The use of immersive technologies for simulation is not a new thing, for example, virtual reality is being used to help treat phobias and anxiety disorders. By creating realistic simulations of situations that trigger fear or anxiety, therapists can guide patients through exposure therapy in a controlled and safe environment. This can help patients overcome their phobias or anxiety without having to face real-life situations. It’s just one of the many ways that immersive technologies are being used to improve people’s lives.
How can Simulations be used for testing colonization scenarios?
There is a multitude of things humans have to know, prepare for, and adapt to in order to successfully colonize a planet, theses things cut across the environmental conditions, social and psychological effects & impacts, economic feasibility, and so on. Also, it is important to note that the very act of trying to colonize a planet is a great endeavor in every way, especially for a specie as young as ours. Colonization requires a strong will and takes a financial toll. Given how early we are in the space race, it is important that we are close to perfect in our preparations, executions, plans for longevity, and so on.
An endeavor at the scale of colonizing another planet obviously needs a plan, pre-colonization activities refer to the steps and preparations that need to be made before attempting to establish a colony on another planet or celestial body. My main focus would obviously be how XR and Metaverse technologies can help in putting together some of these plans & perfecting them. Some ways XR & metaverse technology has been and can help us include:
- Exploration and mapping: Using XR and metaverse technologies, we can create virtual representations of potential colonizable planets and celestial bodies, allowing us to explore and map them in great detail before ever physically setting foot on them. This can give us a better understanding of the terrain, resources, and potential challenges that will need to be overcome.
- Communication and Collaboration: XR and metaverse technologies can be used to create virtual environments where scientists, engineers, and other experts can collaborate and share information in real-time, regardless of where they are physically located. This can greatly increase the speed and efficiency of the pre-colonization process.
- Testing and simulation: As discussed earlier, simulation is a powerful tool for testing different colonization scenarios and strategies. XR and metaverse technologies can be used to create immersive simulations of different environments and situations, allowing us to test different approaches and strategies in a safe and controlled environment.
- Economic feasibility: To determine the feasibility of colonization, a thorough understanding of the costs and benefits is needed. XR and metaverse technologies can be used to simulate the economic impacts of different colonization scenarios, allowing us to make more informed decisions about which strategies to pursue.
- Training and Education: XR and metaverse technologies can be used to provide training and education for the first colonists, allowing them to learn and practice the skills they will need to survive and thrive on a new planet. This can include things like learning how to grow crops, build structures, and deal with extreme weather conditions.
- Psychological and social preparation: Colonizing a new planet will have a significant psychological and social impact on the first colonists. XR and metaverse technologies can be used to simulate these potential impacts so that the first colonists can be better prepared to deal with them.
NASA’s scientists Simulate Moon and Mars Exploration in the Mojave Desert
NASA and a team of international researchers conducted field tests and simulations in the Mojave Desert in 2011 to investigate how humans will conduct geotechnical surveys on the moon or Mars. The inhospitable desert environment presents opportunities to study locations similar to what explorers would find on the moon or Mars. The simulations were designed to study how astronauts would collect soil samples, examine the geotechnical properties of a site, and determine the astrobiological potential of the location. The field tests also evaluated new spacesuits and suit ports developed by Hamilton Sundstrand, as well as the first field trials of the Gigapan Time Machine, a solar-powered panoramic camera developed by Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute. The tests serve as Phase One of a two-phase experiment to investigate how robotic rovers may be used after a human visit to a site. The Mojave field test and simulations carried out by NASA play a critical role in shaping the future of space colonization. The data collected from these tests will enable NASA and other space agencies to develop better technologies, equipment, and methods to overcome the challenges of space exploration and settlement. With this information, the dream of establishing a human settlement beyond Earth will move closer to becoming a reality.
Conclusion:
Simulations such as the ones carried out by NASA provide a way to prepare us for various possibilities and even help us learn and adapt to the most extreme of possibilities, giving us a way to learn and relearn the best practices for colonizing a planet. Simulations can be used to test different colonization scenarios and the outcomes of using different strategies. By running these simulations, we can analyze the data produced to understand the best strategies for colonization. This data can help us understand the best way to approach different situations, as well as the effects of different strategies on the environment, economy, and social systems. By running simulations, we also can understand the potential risks, benefits, and potential outcomes of different colonizing strategies. Simulations can also help us develop better strategies to help us in other areas, such as understanding the effects of climate change or the potential of new technologies. Simulations are an invaluable tool for helping us to understand the complexities of colonizing a planet and the potential outcomes. With their help, we can better prepare for the future by testing different colonization scenarios and strategies and understanding the potential outcomes. This way, we can ensure that when we do eventually take the leap to colonize another planet, we will have the best possible chance at success.
