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In an interview to podcaster Lex Fridman in 2023, Jeff Bezos had stated that he would love to see trillions of people in the solar system. He added that this could produce thousands of geniuses at any given point of time with a trillion people in space. He envisages people floating in giant space colonies and not living in any particular planet. He added that it would lead to the growth of humans without destroying the Earth. Business Insider spoke to experts who gave shape to this concept while at the same time highlighting some concerns emanating from it.
The space station envisaged by O’Neill can house several million people and would be about 500 square miles. On the outside it would be 20 miles long and would rotate to generate artificial gravity for humans inside. This sort of a space ship will also have farms and thriving cities. It will take several centuries to build this sort of a space ship and this may not be possible before the end of this century, as envisaged by Bezos.
There are numerous risks associated with space travel. Experts have pointed out that without the earth’s atmosphere and magnetic people, people in space will be exposed to radiation. This can cause different forms of cancer.
What is the status on space tourism?
Many private space companies are offering space related travel. However, it is expensive and lacks a legislative framework at present.
Space colonies will resemble cylinders:
In any futuristic scenario involving people staying in space, this will involve people staying in space stations that resemble what is called the O’Neill cylinders. According to experts many habitats can roughly house only 8000 people at present. The International Space Station houses seven astronauts at any given point of time.The space station envisaged by O’Neill can house several million people and would be about 500 square miles. On the outside it would be 20 miles long and would rotate to generate artificial gravity for humans inside. This sort of a space ship will also have farms and thriving cities. It will take several centuries to build this sort of a space ship and this may not be possible before the end of this century, as envisaged by Bezos.
Living in Space:
Living in space will require a functioning infrastructure that can provide food, housing and other amenities in space. Presently, crops have been cultivated in a limited manner but having trillions of people in space will require a self-sustaining agricultural system. Space stations will also require a dynamic health infrastructure. As far as recreation and reproduction is concerned, it can be a challenge which will require further research.Solving the earth’s problems:
Experts pointed out that escaping and living in space will not solve any of Earth’s problems. Issues related to climate change, bio-diversity challenges and resource crunch will need attention from the people on earth. Many also opined that it is a distant dream of having a trillion people on space. Space tourism is a concept that is gaining prominence but having people living in space may be story out of a sci-fi thriller, at least in the present times.FAQs:
Is space travel safe?There are numerous risks associated with space travel. Experts have pointed out that without the earth’s atmosphere and magnetic people, people in space will be exposed to radiation. This can cause different forms of cancer.
What is the status on space tourism?
Many private space companies are offering space related travel. However, it is expensive and lacks a legislative framework at present.
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