Here's the thing: we're not going to Mars. Not anytime soon, at least, and not for very long.
The possibility of building long-term settlements remains distant at best, and if you're reading this within a few years of publication, you probably won't live to see it happen.
Venus, on the other hand...
An interesting blog post has sparked conversation this week about an old, but still compelling (if also purely theoretical) plan to build floating cities above the surface of Venus.
This idea was outlined as early as the 1970s in Russia. And according to many futurists, building such a colony would be easier than surviving long-term on Mars.
Why? Here are 5 fairly decent reasons.
Let's Move To Venus!
Reason One: It's Not Impossible(01 of06)
Open Image ModalA balloon filled with air could be made to float on Venus's carbon dioxide atmosphere. You can't land humans on the surface, but you can float above it in relative safety.
Reason Two: Venus Cloud Cities Are Doable(02 of06)
Open Image ModalThe habitats themselves could be pretty light and simple to make. Windows would have to be resistant to sulphuric acid (Venus's clouds are hideously poisonous) but could otherwise be made of straightforward materials. The atmospheric pressure high up in its atmosphere would be about right to keep the air inside, inside. This is all in comparison to habitats on the Moon or in deep space, where huge amounts of protection from the near-vacuum outside are required.
Reason Three: It's Not THAT Bad Above Venus(03 of06)
Open Image ModalThe temperature at the upper-cloud level of Venus is stable, at about 0 degrees C, which is good because it means the habitat wouldn't crack due to expansion and contraction (like the ISS). The gravity is about the same too. There are no small meteorites to smash the habitats apart too, because the atmosphere is thick. Similarly, there is protection from cosmic and solar radiation in the atmosphere of Venus - which is a problem on Mars, the Moon and many other colonisation targets.
Reason Four: There Are Resources There(04 of06)
Open Image ModalThere is lots of nitrogen on Venus - 3 bars - which is good, since it can be used to breathe, feed plants and generally keep everyone alive. There's CO2 as well. And water vapour - just have to get the battery acid out! (credit:World Perspectives via Getty Images)
Reason Five: It's Pretty Easy To Get There(05 of06)
Open Image ModalYou could send supplies to Venus by firing at it from Earth, and then use parachutes to drop down to the right cloud-level for the cities. Venus is pretty easy to get to, too - there is a 'minimum energy path' window (when the orbits of our planet and Venus match up) once every years, which is better than Mars. That means less fuel.
On The Other Hand...(06 of06)
Open Image ModalThere are problems too, of course. Among them are the difficulty of leaving Venus, the high UV from the sun, no access to water, and the fact that none of this stuff exists. Not even close. Still, fun to think about! And possibly useful… one day. (credit:Stocktrek via Getty Images)