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<img src="https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/iss055e005471.jpg"
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The world is dying...but you already knew that. It is 2047 and you're a scientist working with an international team. Governments from around the world have handpicked your group to save the human race. Unfortunately, investing in the future is often overshadowed by war and domestic problems.
You have approximately 30 years. You have been given a budget of 10 trillion dollars.
[[next|meet the team]]Today is the day. It's your first day on the job. Your comrades sit at a circular table.
You frantically look around. Where should you sit?
You see one seat available.
Sit:
Near a woman wearing a lab coat over a [[CNSA t-shirt|air]]
Your goal is to fix the earth. Why not work with what we already have?
Before you can get started, you have to get the committee to agree.
<img src=Your goal is to colonize other planets. Earth is done for, and you believe that your best bet is to make like a tree and leaf.
Before you can get started, you have to get the [[committee]] to agree.
<img src= "https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/nhq201805220015.jpg"
height="250"
width="200"
>Your goal is to colonize the oceans. The land is done for, but maybe we can make the oceans work. It'll be just like SeaLab.
Before you can get started, you have to get the committee to agree.The committee is trying to figure out which route they need to go. They need to decide as soon as possible in order to make sure there's time to implement the plans.
You can [[create a report]] detailing the reasons why space should be the focus. You know that colonizing space is the only option likely to succeed. If you don't speak up, a less effective plan may be accepted.
Or
You're shy. Someone else will probably bring space colonization up. You'll wait and [[do nothing]]. You don't want to be that person who claims to know what's right for everyone else. You have been able to form close relationships within your subcommittee. They can be counted on to support your proposals.
The rest of the committe approved your report and agreed that getting off Earth will be the best investment.
Now you need to [[plan]].You chose to do nothing. No one else mentioned space colonization as a viable option for several months. This led to great debate and you lost a year of potential planning. But you can't go back now. A subcommitte has been formed to evaluate what you need to do. It's time to form a [[plan|plan1]].There are a million things to plan and a limited amount of time in which to do it. The first thing you need to get squared away is technology. As much as you'd like to, you can't get to space on a jet pack. New methods and technologies need to be created for space travel.
[[next|ships]]
There are 10 billion people on Earth in 2047. You need to figure out a way to get them all off-planet.
A) create spaceships for [[family]] units.
$100 billion
B) build a spacecraft [[fleet]] that can fit 1,ooo people per ship.
$600 billion This option costs less and will require less time to execute. It will take at least ten years to have them ready. While you wait, you'll need to figure out which planet will be humanity's new home.
[[next|planet]]This option is more expensive and will take a bit more time to execute. However, the probability of getting most of humanity off of the planet is significantly higher. It will take at least 15 years to get the fleet ready.
While you wait, you'll need to figure out which planet will be humanity's new home.
[[next|planet]]Terraforming is a long process during which a previously uninhabitable planet is physically changed so that it may support human life. There are a variety of ways that have been theorized to be able to do this.
A) modify the [[atmosphere]]
B) modify the [[temperature]]
C) modify the [[surface]] ecology and topography
Many of these methods will be need to be done by colonizers once they arrive. There isn't much that can be done before humans arrive on-planet. It is likely that it will take decades, if not hundreds of years depending on investments in technology, for the planet to be safe to wander freely about without a special suit for protection.
[[next|leave]]In order to be suitable for terraforming, a planet needs to be neither too close nor too far from its sun. It needs to have characteristics similar to earth such as: certain gases, like carbon dioxide and oxygen, a form of water, and be solid rather than gaseous. Astronomers all over the world have been scouting for potential sites.
The most likely are:
A)[[Mars]] [[<<<|Mars1]]
B)[[Europa]] [[<<<|Europa1]]
C)[[Titan]] [[<<<|Titan1]]Mars is one of the closest options, it being only 5-6 months to travel there. It has an atmospheric pressure 33% that of Earth, which is better than a lot of the other planets. There are also reserves of ice on Mars that could be turned into liquid water.
On the other hand, Mars is still dissimilar from Earth. Concentrations of atmospheric gases are wildly different. The average temperature is -81 degrees Fahrenheit.
[[back|planet]]
<img src= "https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia22232.jpg"
height="250"
width="400"
>You have chosen Mars! Now that you know where we'll be going, you can figure out what sorts of problems humanity will face there. You'll need to develop technology to [[terraform]]. Europa is one of Jupiter's moons. It is covered in ice. The surface is one of the most stable on which to build permanent structures. There is a subsurface ocean below the ice with hot water vents. Scientists think that it is possible this ocean holds microbes and other building blocks for life.
There are several problematic aspects of Europa. Current technology would allow us to reach the planet in about 6 years. Its gravity is 13% of Earth's, which could lead to physiological issues in humans without correction. The planet also receives large doses of radiation due to lack of atmosphere. The thin atmosphere will also make it more difficult for Europa to become warmer.
[[back|planet]]
<img src="https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia19048.jpg"
height="400"
width="500"
>You have chosen Europa! Now that you know where we'll be going, you can figure out what sorts of problems humanity will face there. You'll need to develop technology to [[terraform]]. Titan is one of Saturn's moons. It has cloud cover and an adequate atmosphere which helps to stabilize the climate. Building on the surface shouldn't be a problem, as it is relatively flat. Gravity is similar to that of Earth's moon, about 17% of Earth's gravity.
Disadvantages include rain consisting of liquid methane and an average surface temperature of -330 degrees Fahrenheit. It would take 3 to 4 years to reach Titan.
[[back|planet]]
<img src="https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia21615.jpg"
height="350"
width="400"
>You have chosen Titan! Now that you know where we'll be going, you can figure out what sorts of problems humanity will face there. You'll need to develop technology to [[terraform]]. An atmosphere is incredibly important. Earth's atmosphere holds in our air and keeps the bulk of solar radiation out. It is vital for maintaining temperatures on the surface. There are a large amount of ways to change the atmosphere of a planet.
- grow photosynthesizing plants and bacteria on the surface to thicken the atmosphere. These require supplies for them to grow on. Once growing, they would release oxygen into the atmosphere. This helps trigger the greenhouse effect. Creating oxygen will thicken the atmosphere and help make it more earth-like.
- bombardment with ice-comets. Before they can crash whole, they will be blown up. The ice shards fall all over the planet, releasing gaseous water and other gases. The momentum of the comets will also help to speed up the planet's rotation, allowing its cycle to speed up. For this to occur, we would need a minimum of 100 comets, sized to about Halley's comet. This method helps trigger the greenhouse effect. Gases such as ammonia and carbon dioxide released from the comets will become trapped in the atmosphere, dually thickening and warming it.
[[back|terraform]] In order for humans to survive on a new planet, we'll need to adjust the thermostat. Humanity can only survive in a small range of temperatures. For short periods of time, they can survive in -90 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit(at which point our cells begin to die). There are different ways people can raise or lower the temperature of their colony.
- detonating atomic bombs. This would succeed in raising the temperature and creating a small atmosphere. However, there are also a range of potentially dangerous effects, such as nuclear winter and contamination of water.
- manufacture greenhouse gases. This would lead to global warming as the atmosphere thickens and begins to trap heat. Unfortunately, this could take upwards of 800 years to complete.
- plants could be grown once the planet grew warm enough from the global warming. This would allow the planet to release its oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- micro-helium balloons can be used to reduce the temperature.
[[back|terraform]] The surface of any planet colonized by humans will become drastically changed. To make it more earth-like, we will need find and/or create terrain that is stable and livable. We may transfer organic matter in order to grow plants and food.
- Release the water. On planets such as Europa and Titan, water is bound up in ice. It may be possible to melt at least sections of the ice to create lakes and water usable by humans. Melting the icecaps on Mars would also create large lakes.
- insertion of desired elements. By adding certain minerals, soil, water, etc. it is possible to change the surface of the planet to become what we need.
- sequestration of undesirable elements. We may remove minerals, gases, liquids, etc. deemed dangerous or in the way. For example, we may transform excess carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon. Then we may store the carbon in a seperate location for later use.
[[back|terraform]] There are a million things to plan and a limited amount of time in which to do it. You're getting off to a slightly late start, so your team will need to work extra hard to get things done in time. The first thing you need to get squared away is technology. As much as you'd like to, you can't get to space on a jet pack.
[[next|rockets]]There are 10 billion people on Earth in 2047. You need to figure out a way to get them all off the planet.
You don't have time to make ships for individual families. Your first priority is getting as many people off-planet as possible.
A) build a spacecraft [[fleet|fleet1]] that can fit upwards of 500 people per ship.
$250 billion
B) build a [[Worldship|worldship]] that can fit hundreds to thousands of people. It will be self-sufficient and incredibly large.
$700 billionThis option is less expensive and will take a bit less time to execute. It will take at least 15 years to get the fleet ready.
While you wait, you'll need to figure out which planet will be humanity's new home.
[[next|crash]]This option costs more than any other. However, it is the most equipped to make long journeys and can save the most people at a time. While the colonists are terraforming the planet, the Worldship can provide a home if they are unable to build on the surface. It will take longer to create, but is a good investment. Building can take anywhere from 15 to 20 years. While you wait, you'll need to figure out which planet will be humanity's new home.
[[next|crash]]Picking a planet to colonize can be tough. In order to be suitable for terraforming, a planet needs to be neither too close nor too far from its sun. It needs to have characteristics similar to Earth such as:the presence of water and being solid rather than gaseous. Unfortunately, you're fast running out of time and resources. You can't afford to go to a planet or moon that is a large distance away, nor can you invest in the technology that would allow ships to go that far. Due to this, fewer options will be available. Astronomers all over the world have been scouting for potential sites.
The most likely are:
A) [[Mars|Mars2]] [[<<<|choseMars]]
B) [[The Moon|moon]] [[<<<|chose moon]]Crash!
[[next|crashexp]]The engineers and technicians were in a rush to get the ships done by the deadline. The trial run went up in fiery flames. A few people were injured but there were no mortalities. The teams will have to start over to figure out what went wrong. This will add at least a year to the project.
[[next|planet1]]Mars is one of the closest options, being only 5-6 months to travel there. It has an atmospheric pressure 33% that of Earth, which is better than a lot of the other planets. There are also reserves of ice on Mars that could be turned into liquid water. The land could be built upon.
On the other hand, Mars is still very different from Earth. Concentrations of atmospheric gases are wildly different. The average temperature is -81 degrees Fahrenheit.
[[back|planet1]]
<img src= "https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia22313.jpg"
height="250"
width="500"
>You have chosen Mars! Now that you know where we'll be going, you can figure out what sorts of problems humanity will face there. You'll need to develop technology to [[terraform|terraform1]].We have been going to the moon for decades, so we already know a lot about the location and issues we may have. There won't be as many surprises. It only takes 3 days to get there. It's easy for spacecraft to go to and from the moon because of it's small atmosphere. There is plenty of space to build. While it isn't a great option, it could be a good launching point for further colonization efforts in the future.
On the other hand, it has a small atmosphere that we'll need to thicken. Also, there are few resources to exploit on the moon. Gravity is 17% of the Earth's, so pressure may be an issue.
[[back|planet1]]
<img src="https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/iss055e043612.jpg"
height="300"
width="450"
>
You have chosen the Moon! Now that you know where we'll be going, you can figure out what sorts of problems humanity will face there. You'll need to develop technology to [[terraform|terraform1]].Terraforming is a long process during which a previously uninhabitable planet is physically changed so that it may support human life. There are a variety of ways that have been theorized to be able to do this.
A) modify the [[atmosphere|atmosphere1]]
B) modify the [[temperature|temperature1]]
C) modify the [[surface|surface1]] ecology and topography
Many of these methods will be need to be done by colonizers once they arrive. There isn't much that can be done before humans arrive on-planet. It is likely that it will take decades, if not hundreds of years depending on investments in technology, for the planet to be safe to wander freely about without a special suit for protection.
[[next|leave1]]An atmosphere is incredibly important. Earth's atmosphere holds in our air and keeps the bulk of solar radiation out. It is vital for maintaining temperatures on the surface. There are a large amount of ways to change the atmosphere of a planet.
- grow photosynthesizing plants and bacteria on the surface to thicken the atmosphere. These require supplies for them to grow on. Once growing, they would release oxygen into the atmosphere. This helps trigger the greenhouse effect. Creating oxygen will thicken the atmosphere and help make it more earth-like.
- bombardment with ice-comets. Before they can crash whole, they will be blown up. The ice shards fall all over the planet, releasing gaseous water and other gases. The momentum of the comets will also help to speed up the planet's rotation, allowing its cycle to speed up. For this to occur, we would need a minimum of 100 comets, sized to about Halley's comet. This method helps trigger the greenhouse effect. Gases such as ammonia and carbon dioxide released from the comets will become trapped in the atmosphere, dually thickening and warming it.
[[back|terraform1]]In order for humans to survive on a new planet, we'll need to adjust the thermostat. Humanity can only survive in a small range of temperatures. For short periods of time, they can survive in -90 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit(at which point our cells begin to die). There are different ways people can raise or lower the temperature of their colony.
- detonating atomic bombs. This would succeed in raising the temperature and creating a small atmosphere. However, there are also a range of potentially dangerous effects, such as nuclear winter and contamination of water.
- manufacture greenhouse gases. This would lead to global warming as the atmosphere thickens and begins to trap heat. Unfortunately, this could take upwards of 800 years to complete.
- plants could be grown once the planet grew warm enough from the global warming. This would allow the planet to release its oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- micro-helium balloons can be used to reduce the temperature.
[[back|terraform1]]The surface of any planet colonized by humans will become drastically changed. To make it more earth-like, we will need find and/or create terrain that is stable and livable. We may transfer organic matter in order to grow plants and food.
- Release the water. On planets such as Europa and Titan, water is bound up in ice. It may be possible to melt at least sections of the ice to create lakes and water usable by humans. Melting the icecaps on Mars would also create large lakes.
- insertion of desired elements. By adding certain minerals, soil, water, etc. it is possible to change the surface of the planet to become what we need.
- sequestration of undesirable elements. We may remove minerals, gases, liquids, etc. deemed dangerous or in the way. For example, we may transform excess carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon. Then we may store the carbon in a seperate location for later use.
[[back|terraform1]]Congrats! Your ships are finally done! It's time to get the heck out of dodge. You used your time wisely and have a couple years to evacuate the planet.
[[epilogue]]Congrats! Your ships are finally done! It's time to get the heck out of dodge. You got a bit short on time, so not everyone will be able to get off the planet in time. A lottery system will decide who stays or goes.
[[epilogue]]Climate change is taking a huge toll on the planet. By 2080, there will be widespread droughts and famine worse than the Dust Bowl. Natural disasters will increase, ocean acidification will kill many of our marine resources, and air pollution will kill millions of people. The effects are endless. Whether we decide to colonize other planets or stay and fix Earth, humanity will need to create a plan of action now if we are to stay alive.
[[links]]I used many sources to make this game. They include:
https://science.howstuffworks.com/terraforming2.htm
https://ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/CombatClimateReport.pdf
https://www.inverse.com/article/30832-6-best-extraterrestrial-worlds-colonize-solar-system
https://geology.com/stories/13/life-on-europa/
https://www.space.com/17683-earth-atmosphere.html
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/07/terraforming_the_moon_it_would_be_a_lot_like_florida.html
https://futurism.com/terraforming-solar-system/
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-how-we-could-warm-up-mars-and-make-it-more-habitable-2016-11-17
http://terraforming.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
https://www.centauri-dreams.org/2011/08/31/colonizing-the-galaxy-using-world-ships/
If you want to know what you can do, these sites are useful:
https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/top-10-ways-can-stop-climate-change/
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/how-you-can-help-fight-climate-change
https://climatekids.nasa.gov/how-to-help/