Position: Satellite of Earth, third planet from the Sun
Distance from Sun: 1 Astronomical Unit
Minimum Distance from Earth: 384,400 Kilometers
Surface Gravity (Earth = 1): 0.166
Surface Composition: Basaltic Rock
Atmospheric Pressure (Earth = 1): 0
Mean Surface Temperature: (Light side) 107 Celsius
(Dark side) -153 Celsius
Axis Rotation: Static
Sun Orbit Period: 365.26 Days
Earth Orbit Period: 27.32 Days
Diameter: 3476 kilometers
The Moon's close proximity makes it by far the most likely candidate for NSDF exploration. Most of the debris that hit Earth burned up in the atmosphere. But given that the moon has no atmosphere, there is strong reason to believe that it holds a far greater supply. Unfortunately, the moon was in front of the Earth when the shower hit and any debris would have landed on its dark side, so we can only guess at what it hides.
Exploiting the moon's resources would require three moon bases. A mining base on the far side, a transport base on the near side, and a power base at the northern pole. The polar base would provide continuous exposure to the sun and an ample amount of solar generated power. Lunar rocks contain about 40% oxygen and could be mined for environmental systems.
There is also a possibility that a small region near the perpetually shaded southern pole hides a frozen reservoir of water ice. If true, this may warrant a fourth facility.
Position: Fourth planet from the Sun
Distance from Sun (Earth = 1): 1.5 Astronomical Units
Minimum Distance from Earth: 56 Million Kilometers
Surface Gravity (Earth = 1): 0.377
Surface Composition: Basaltic Rock and
Solid Carbon Dioxide (Dry Ice)
Atmospheric Pressure (Earth = 1): 0.007 Bar
Mean Surface Temperature: -23 Celsius
Axis Rotation: 1.03 Days
Sun Orbit Period: 686.98 Days
Diameter: 6794 Kilometers
The atmosphere of Mars is characterized by extensive haze and fog, and is often further clouded by dust storms. Like Earth, Mars has seasons that result from its oblique rotational axis. The atmosphere is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, with limited amounts of nitrogen, argon, and water vapor. We have not detected any magnetic field on Mars, which leads us to believe there is no metallic core.
Satellite imagery and extensive surveying teams have reported that Mars has vast cratering like Earth's moon in addition to cracked lava beds with sheer cliffs that drop down into deep valleys. This cratering leads us to believe that the planet could contain additional reserves of bio-metal.
A massive volcano, the Olympus Mons, is the largest in the solar system with a diameter of 550 kilometers and a height of 27 kilometers. Teams have not delivered confirmation on whether or not the volcano is active, yet pilots are warned that volcanic activity could occur and would provide a significant hazard.
Wind and solar energy could provide adequate power for colonization. Moderate water supplies could be found among the frozen carbon dioxide in the polar caps.
Mars' topography and maze-like world would require special instrumentation to navigate. Negotiating riverbeds and cliffs would pose grave danger to navigating the planet's surface.
In all, we believe that Mars is a solid candidate for further NSDF investigation. Its relatively close proximity to Earth and hospitable environment in addition to the evidence of cratering makes this our second choice for colonization.
Position: Second planet from the Sun
Distance from Sun (Earth = 1): .7 Astronomical Units
Minimum Distance from Earth: 42 million kilometers
Surface Gravity (Earth = 1): 0.907
Surface Composition: Basaltic Rock and Molten Lava
Atmospheric Pressure (Earth = 1): 92 Bar
Mean Surface Temperature: 460 Celsius
Axis Rotation: 243 Days
Sun Orbit Period: 224.7 Earth Days
Diameter: 12,103.6 Kilometers
Named after the Roman Goddess of love for its brilliant glow in Earth's sky, Venus holds no physical resemblance to its namesake. The planet is one of the harshest environments amongst our candidates. Although Venus is a near twin in shape and mass to Earth as well as being the closest planet, its brutal atmosphere will make exploiting any bio-metal reserves difficult. Nonetheless, its proximity and likelihood of containing bio-metal deposits keep it on the top half of the list.
Venus' atmosphere of carbon dioxide and thick cloud cover of highly concentrated sulfuric acid cause an intense greenhouse effect. Although not much light penetrates the dense atmosphere, what does make it through is reradiated as infrared light, resulting in the intense heat on the planet's surface, far exceeding that of any other planet or moon in the solar system.
The atmosphere is also extremely dense, the equivalent of about one kilometer below Earth's oceans. The severe pressure will require special structural engineering in order to avoid being crushed. While Venus' upper atmosphere is characterized by strong winds, its lower atmosphere is relatively calm. Regardless, we should be able to generate sufficient lightning power due to intense electrical activity on Venus.
Trace amounts of water vapor have been found in the environment and could be tapped in order to help sustain life on Venus' surface. For the most part however, establishing a mining base on Venus will require importing all life-sustaining resources from other locales.
Position: Satellite of Jupiter, fifth planet from the Sun
Distance from Sun (Earth = 1): 5.2 Astronomical Units
Minimum Distance from Earth: ~630 Million Kilometers
Surface Gravity (Earth = 1): 0.135
Surface Composition: Water Ice
Atmospheric Pressure (Earth = 1): 0
Mean Surface Temperature: -153 Celsius
Axis Rotation: Static
Sun Orbit Period: 4332.71
Jupiter Orbit Period: 3.55 Days
Diameter: 3138 Kilometers
With an almost featureless blue exterior, Europa appears calm and tranquil, in sharp contrast to the rough, cratered surfaces spread throughout the rest of the solar system. This is because Europa consists almost entirely of water ice, making it an ideal destination. The ice would provide boundless quantities of a vital resource as well as a clear canvas for locating bio-metal.
Even more exciting, Europa did at one time and may still have active volcanoes that shoot warmer ice flows [spotted two weeks ago by the Galileo satellite] from beneath the surface. Evidence of a heated center naturally suggests that the ice may melt at some depth, flowing freely within the moon's interior. This would make Europa the only other celestial body in our solar system with liquid water, and a leading contender for bearing life, albeit far from our view.
Though lacking the distinct advantages and engineering opportunities held by Luna, Mars, and Titan, Europa is a relatively safe gamble for finding and acquiring bio-metal with little environmental hazard.
Position: Satellite of Jupiter, fifth planet from the Sun
Distance from Sun (Earth = 1): 5.2 Astronomical Units
Minimum Distance from Earth: ~630 Million Kilometers
Surface Gravity (Earth = 1): 0.183
Surface Composition: Sulfur
Atmospheric Pressure (Earth = 1): 0
Mean Surface Temperature: -143 Celsius
Axis Rotation: Static
Sun Orbit Period: 4332.71
Jupiter Orbit Period: 1.77 days
Diameter: 3630 Kilometers
Initially promising for its colorful and craterless surface, researchers later discovered that Io's apparent tranquillity is, in actuality, evidence of its inhospitable and potentially maddening nature. Scattered across the moon's frozen surface, dozens of active volcanoes spout molten sulfur from the core, sending it hundreds of kilometers into space. Once cooled, the sulfur pours back down like snow, forever resurfacing the terrain with the otherwise harmless substance.
This condition could prove a costly and time-consuming irritation for colonists. Significant measures would need to be taken to avoid our facilities and equipment from being buried.
Fortunately, a few other options have been suggested by our engineers. While sulfur is far more sedentary than water, they claim that an adequate drainage system could be fitted at a minimal cost. Similar in concept to the conventional drainpipes used for rain, jets of liquid would cycle through them to stimulate movement.
Our chemists have offered another solution. By applying a layer of a corrosive compound, they believe they can dissolve the sulfur on contact and without consequence. Both of these techniques are unproven as yet, but I assure you the issue is being addressed.
Aside from this annoyance, the only factors that are less than ideal are Io's enormous distance from Earth, its bitter cold temperatures, and its lack of life-sustaining resources. The first two conditions Io shares with its sibling contender, Europa, and are even more pressing for the remote moon of Titan.
A final concern: bases would need to be established far from the equator on Io. It is caught in a three-way tug-of-war between the gravitational pulls of Europa, Ganymede, and Jupiter. This forces an unstable tidal current on the moon's outer layer which can bend and stretch its width by as much as 100 meters.
Position: Satellite of Saturn, sixth planet from the Sun
Distance from Sun (Earth = 1): 9.6 Astronomical Units
Minimum Distance from Earth: ~1290 Million Kilometers
Surface Gravity (Earth = 1): 0.38
Surface Composition: Water Ice and Rock
Atmospheric Pressure (Earth = 1): 1.5 Bar
Mean Surface Temperature: -180 Celsius
Axis Rotation: Static
Sun Orbit Period: 10,759.5 Days
Saturn Orbit Period: 15.95 Days
Diameter: 5150 Kilometers
At the far end of technological feasibility, a journey to Titan would require efficiency in storage and preparation that may be beyond our means. Though if it were possible, the reward would be the most manageable and self-sustaining non-terrestrial environment in our solar system.
Observations of Titan's nitrogen-heavy atmosphere suggest that the moon is a close mirror of Earth before the first organisms began producing oxygen. In fact, its hydrocarbon rich elements are the building blocks for amino acids, vital to the formation of life.
Though far too cold to sublimate with the atmosphere's chemistry, oxygen does exist on Titan in the form of water ice covering its surface. This could be melted, providing ample water as well as the primary missing ingredient needed to terraform the atmosphere into one that is breathable by humans. While terraforming distant moons has not been listed on the NSDF's agenda, the possibility is far too tempting to be denied further investigation.
Power resources on this moon consist primarily of lightning and wind. However, clouds of methane in the upper atmosphere could easily be converted into natural gas. With some modifications to our equipment, this could provide the bulk of our power.
Unfortunately, these same methane clouds are exaggerated versions of what is known on Earth as smog. Covering the moon completely, they prohibit any further insight into Titan's composition.
Also worth noting is the concern that Titan's distance from Earth decreases its likelihood of being hit by the meteor shower. The trip would be a major undertaking, and could very well prove fruitless.