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From silica aerogel to MOXIE, these revolutionary technologies are bringing us a step closer to making Mars home!

Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, has long captivated the curiosity of scientists. Some of the most intelligent mindsBuzz Aldrin, Neil Degras Tyson and Stephen Hawkingagree that humankind should work towards occupying Mars. And there is a good reason for that. When life on Earth was evolving, Mars was going through significant climate change. Studying the red planet, both its past and present, can help us understand the details of the evolution of Earth and other planets in the solar system.

Besides, scientists have found evidence of water on Mars that could be harvested for human consumption. Consequently, we are seeing the emergence of projects like Artemis 1, which intends to establish a human presence on Mars by 2028. But the million-dollar question is: How will this plan, or any other plan to colonize Mars come to fruition? Here are some of the technologies that have been developed or are currently being developed, that will help make life on Mars possible.

Silica aerogel is a porous, lightweight translucent material used for high-temperature insulation. Its insulating properties are so potent that, in 2019, researchers from Harvard University and NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab found that silica aerogel could mimic the greenhouse effect on Mars. What makes Mars uninhabitable right now is the low temperatures and high levels of ultraviolet radiation. The researchers believe that a 2-3 cm thick silica aerogel layer would transmit sufficient life for photosynthesis, help block out the radiation and raise temperatures above the melting point of water.

Mars atmosphere is made up of 95% carbon dioxide (CO2). In 2021, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the U.S. and its partner biotechnology company Nzyme2HC came up with the idea of harnessing this CO2 supply to make ethylene. To do so, it is using ethylene-emitting cyanobacteria (bacteria that obtain energy from photosynthesis) created by NREL scientists in 2012. Creating ethylene (an integral component of plastics) from the CO2 supply on Mars could help astronauts readily produce the building materials needed for a Mars colony.

While the red planet has a lot of CO2, its atmosphere only consists of 0.6% molecular oxygen. This means, to make life possible on the planet, scientists need to find a way for us to breathe. To help solve this problem, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has created the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE). MOXIE is a lunchbox-sized device that collects atmospheric CO2 and heats it to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, splitting it into oxygen and carbon monoxide. The device is still in the experimental stages but has been successful in producing oxygen seven different times.

Another major barrier is traveling back and forth between Earth and Mars. There is a distance of 33.9 million miles between the two planets, and it takes seven months to travel from one to the other, kicking off at a speed of about 39,600 km per hour. To tackle this issue, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has partnered with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to work on nuclear thermal propulsion technology for rockets. This technology provides a high thrust and propels the rocket much faster than chemical rockets. Reducing the travel time will help cut down the supplies needed for inter-planet travel. While the technology isnt ready yet, NASA says it intends to make it possible by 2027.

Given how far the two planets are from each other, it would be greatly beneficial to have a source of fuel on Mars as well. In 2021, the Georgia Institute of Technology suggested that microbes could be carried to Mars to produce fuel on the red planet. These microbes are cyanobacteria (which converts carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen) and an engineered variety of E.colii (which converts the extracted sugar into a fuel called 2,3-butanediol).

To give these microbes the environment to be functional, plastic materials would have to be carried to Mars which would then be assembled into photobioreactors for the microbes. Besides creating fuel, the process also generates 44 tons of excess clean oxygen. This process of producing fuel on Mars would reduce power consumption by 32% as compared to the current method (carrying methane and liquid oxygen reserves to the planet).

From creating oxygen to reducing fuel costs and eliminating radiation, evolving technologies solve the many problems associated with Mars colonization. It opens up possibilities for sustained human habitation on the planet. As we continue to push the boundaries of scientific and technological innovation, we can look forward to a future where humans are not only Earthbound but also interplanetary, with Mars being the first step in our journey to the stars.

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Header image courtesy of Envato.

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Top 5 Technologies That Will Make Mars Habitable - Jumpstart Media

Paradox Interactive has released many great titles and series over the years after becoming an independent company in 2004. When you think of games that Paradox has published, titles like the Cities Skylines series, Surviving Mars, and many other strategy games come to mind.

Related: The Best Ubisoft Games

Grand strategy games are not the only ones it has under its belt, however. Action adventure, role-playing, and simulation and management are some of the other genres that the company has published, which have been some of the most successful releases. With a wide variety of games, these are some of the best titles to check out from Paradox Interactive.

Fantasy games always bring forth a very interesting world no matter how they are received on release. Magicka brought a new world based on Norse mythology, creating a fun and rich experience.

In this game, you are a wizard who is trying to stop an evil sorcerer who has caused chaos in the world. There are many spells you can cast and combine for a magic system unlike any other, and many items to find. You can also play solo or in co-op with up to four friends in a dozen campaigns.

Victoria 2 is the second installment in the grand strategy Victoria series. Taking place during the 19th-century colonial era you guide your country to expand and industrialize. This includes expanding through political power, military conquest, and colonization.

This political simulation game gives you many options in terms of gameplay. You have dozens of different governments, production for your country, and a very detailed economy. There are over 200 countries to play as along with many historical missions. All of these features really help make Victoria 2 a very intriguing strategy game, and one of the best.

The Age of Wonders series has captivated fans with its unique gameplay and story. Age of Wonders 4 continues to bring together roleplaying and strategy along with turn-based combat. All of those elements put together in a fantasy realm are what make this game really popular.

Related: Age Of Wonders 4: Beginner Tips

The fantasy realm is created by you, in which you create your followers, build up armies, get magical tomes to evolve your followers, and create powerful beings. There are endless possibilities for your creations and realms to explore. You can be a fearful ruler that dominates other realms or one that creates alliances to squash the evil in the world.

There are many games that are part of the grand strategy war games genre. One of the most well-known series is Hearts of Iron. The fourth installment transports you into World War 2 and offers both historical and alternative events.

This military simulation game gives players the opportunity to command any nation while managing politics, economy, production and supply lines, and military units. There is also a complex research tree and multiplayer in which you can take control of different aspects of a nation's strategy.

Europa Universalis is one of Paradoxs biggest series and for good reason. A grand strategy game with the ability to dominate, explore, and expand your world. Starting before the Renaissance, this game lets you build your own empire and change history.

You can choose any date you want with historical figures and nations and experience history throughout your time. Choosing marriage candidates, building alliances, and trading with others help your nation thrive. Even whoever is on the throne really influences your nation's progression for both good and bad.

Out of all the grand strategy games in Paradoxs catalog, Stellaris is the one that took a different approach to its setting. Most of the games are based on history, but Stellaris decided to take the genre to space.

Related: Stellaris: Guide For Absolute Beginners

Your journey takes you into space exploration and building a galactic empire. You can discover many new species out in the galaxy by sending research ships out, building space stations, and discovering new planets. There is an infinite number of races to discover, characteristics for your race and others, as well as diplomacy and galactic warfare. If the gameplay doesn't capture your attention, then maybe the stunning visuals created will.

There are many big-name developers that partner up with publishers for their next big game. So when Obsidian Entertainment, developer of games like Fallout: New Vegas and South Park: The Stick of Truth, decided to make a new RPG, the decision was to partner with Paradox.

Pillars of Eternity is an adventure game that aims to recapture the nostalgia of classic RPGs. This game delivers a very expansive and deep character development system that adds to the six races you can play. Each has its own core skills that add to the characters' uniqueness. Not to mention a rich world with many classes, missions, and a reputation system that has an effect on your character.

Prison Architect became a hit management and simulation game due to its fun and chaotic nature. This game brings top-down gameplay with building and managing a prison. As warden of the prison, it is your job to create an environment for the world's most vile prisoners.

Related: Prison Architect: Tips For Building And Running A Successful Prison

What really made this game a hit and stand apart from others is the sporadic nature of the prisoners. While your main job is to optimize the prison, the prisoners can cause riots, start fights, or even start a fire. There are various things that can go on within the prison walls, like gang activity and even disease, so it's wise to make sure you have hired the best staff such as guards, doctors, and others. These are just a few of the features that make this a fun game.

Combing roleplaying and grand strategy in the Medieval Ages is exactly what makes Crusader Kings 3 an outstanding game. Part of the original Paradox Development Studio, this game continues to expand on the Crusader Kings series.

You start by taking control of your house and expanding your dynasty on a vast map. There is a very in-depth customer characterization that has effects on your journey. This game is all about lineage and keeping your heir and bloodline in charge through the years. You can make choices about who you marry or who your heirs marry. You can be as graceful as a ruler as you want, or be devious by sending spies to other houses, plotting against houses, and murdering those you want for your own advantage.

Perhaps one of the biggest and most well-known management games is Cities: Skylines. You get to build up your own city however you want and from there make sure the residents of your city are happy. There are plenty of obstacles that you will face when you plan out your city.

Everything from education, street flow, food, businesses, healthcare, entertainment, and commute all have an effect on your citizens. Those are only a few of the factors you need to think about when constructing your city. There are various DLCs that add different things like airports, stadiums, and weather events that add some extra fun and difficulty to the game. Cities: Skylines also has one of the most active modding communities where you can find a plethora of items to add to your world.

Next: The Best Story-Driven Games

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10 Best Paradox Interactive Games - TheGamer

Nuri rocket, also known as Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II, is erected on the launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday, a day before liftoff. (Korea Aerospace Research Institute)

Hanwha Group, South Koreas seventh-largest conglomerate, stands at the forefront of the countrys efforts to grow and nurture its space industry, as Hanwha Aerospace became the first system integration company to lead the launch of the homegrown Nuri rocket.

Hanwha Aerospace won the government bid in December to take charge of upgrading the Nuri rocket, also known as Korea Satellite Launch Vehicle-II, and launching it four times through 2027. The company signed a contract worth approximately 286 billion won ($220 million) with the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

With the responsibility of overseeing the assembly of the Nuri rocket and launch operations, Hanwha Aerospace has been gaining knowledge and expertise from working with KARI, which led all of the countrys space launch projects including the earlier Naro rocket. According to the company, however, there is still a lot to be done for Hanwha to take full control.

Strictly speaking, (the project) is not led by the private sector at the moment. We developed core systems such as the engine, propulsion and position control systems. But KARI has supervised the overall process. Right now, we are in the learning phase. Once we get to the sixth launch, we will play a bigger role, Lee Jun-won, senior vice president at Hanwha Aerospace, told The Korea Herald in an interview earlier this year.

Hanwha Aerospace is looking to win another government project to develop a next-generation satellite launch vehicle capable of launching heavier payloads than the Nuri rocket. Unlike the countrys past space projects led by KARI, the next-generation rocket project will see a private company taking the lead from the beginning.

Hanwha Groups space vision took shape when it established the Space Hub, a conglomerate-wide council dedicated to developing space businesses, in March 2021. Kim Dong-kwan, the groups vice chairman and the eldest son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, stands at the helm of the Space Hub.

Hanwha has actively bolstered its space portfolio, acquiring Satrec Initiative, Koreas only satellite company with export sales, and investing in OneWeb, a UK firm specialized in connecting hundreds of low-Earth orbit satellites.

Over 300 local companies, including Hanwha Aerospace, participated in making the Nuri rocket, which successfully placed a dummy satellite into orbit in June last year to make S. Korea the seventh country in the world to have homegrown capability to develop and launch a satellite weighing 1 ton or more.

Following the Nuri rocket milestone, Korea also succeeded in launching and operating the countrys first lunar mission Danuri, also known as the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, last year.

The series of successful space missions prompted the current Yoon Suk Yeol administrations announcement of ambitious goals to land on the moon in 2032 and on Mars in 2045 when it marks the countrys 100th anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonization. The government underscored the importance of the space economy, signaling the countrys entry into the global space race.

By Kan Hyeong-woo (hwkan@heraldcorp.com)

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Hanwha propels Nuri rocket project - The Investor

The arrival of ChatGPT has placed artificial intelligence at the center of US discourse. Not surprisingly, one touchstone for these debates have been the novels of sci-fi author Philip K. Dick. As it happens, this AI-inspired interest in the author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, among many other visionary works, comes at a time when American policy elites are also gripped by a new urban malaiseanother constant motif in Dicks body of work.

Today, this pair of Dickian concernsthe rise of the AI era and urban declineare assigned different weights by the left and the right. So far, its mostly progressive institutions like The New York Times sounding the alarm about the risks of unhindered AI. The mostly libertarian-inflected right, by contrast, has taken a predictable Let it rip! attitude, the better to punish coastal liberals whose bullshit jobs are threatened by platforms like ChatGPT.

Meanwhile, Americas urban malaise codes as a right-wing concern, with conservative politicians and media determined to make electoral hay of disorder in the cities, a situation that they charge has been exacerbated by liberal politicos lax approach to lifestyle crimes. Among conservatives, the term blue city is permanently (and not wholly unjustly) linked with needle-strewn sidewalks, homeless encampments, and rampant shoplifting.

The two issues are, in fact, closely entangled, in a way that Dick saw clearly but that has often eluded both his cinematic interpreters and the elites who have sought to understand the present by examining his imagined futures. A minor episode in the intellectual history of Los Angeles illustrates this. That was the last time American officialdom turned to Dick as a prophet, albeit via Blade Runner, Ridley Scotts cinematic adaptation of Do Androids?

In 1988, some 150 eminent citizens of LAleaders in politics, business, academe, and philanthropysubmitted a report to then-Mayor Tom Bradley outlining their ambitions for the city as it prepared for the 21st century. In the most notable contribution, the California historian Kevin Starr paid tribute to generations of Angelinos for embracing a headlong futurity: constantly adapting the environment to their visions, natural limits be damned.

Yet Starr wasnt without his fears. The LA of the 1920san era of dramatic growth, when the city had willed its water, railroads, and housing stock into being and then invited a million newcomershad a dominant establishment and a dominant population. He meant white protestants. Yes, their primacy meant overlooking certain suppressions and injustices, but the old regime had supplied the civic unity needed to sustain cohesion amid explosive growth.

Where, Starr wondered, will Los Angeles 2000 find its community, its city in common? One answer came courtesy of Dick-inspired sci-fi: There is the Blade Runner scenario: the fusion of individual cultures into a demotic polyglotism ominous with unresolved hostilities that would now erupt in violence, now settle down in negotiated truce.

Techno-capitalism and urban dilapidation seemed to go hand-in-hand.

As the Marxist geographer Mike Davis, who died last year at age 76, noted, Starrs offhand remark attested to Blade Runners enduring status as the star of sci-fi dystopias. The film has become a sort of visual shorthand for a set of persistent American anxieties about biotechnology, corporate misrule, and multiculturalism, projected from the California dream factory onto the rest of the country (and the world). For Davis, it was significant that the dream factory, Hollywood, was located nearby other key Golden State industries, not least computing and biotech, whose business was to slingshot our species into Dickian dystopia.

Yet Davis wasnt very impressed by Blade Runner as a piece of urban futurism. While boasting whiz-bang effects (by 80s standards), the movie presented a retread of a much older old, and racially tinged, picture of the future as Manhattan-style giganticism: teeming masses of culturally mixed and confused human drones huddling under massive pyramids of steel and glass.

That picture no doubt appealed to the likes of Starr as they sought to place the sole blame for the political-economic dislocations and contradictions of California at the feet of multiculturalism. Lamenting the loss of WASP primacy was a lot easier than facing up to the de-industrialization and middle-class destruction wrought by the neoliberal revolution launched by the likes of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.

For Davis, the Kevin Starr/Blade Runner vision of Los Angeles (as yellow-peril giganticism) missed something still more crucial: the fact that the advances in technology hatched in California sat next to a great unbroken chain of aging bungalows, stucco apartments, and ranch style homesall decaying as the city entered the third millennium. Techno-capitalism and urban dilapidation, sentient machines and lousy bus lines, seemed to go hand-in-hand.

This overlapping of high-tech and physical disrepair is by now ubiquitous not just in California, but across the United States. In Gotham, where I live, Wall Streets Masters of the Universe are still at it, deploying unbelievably complex algorithms to squeeze arbitrage out of the real economy and into their own asset ledgers. Meanwhile, the roads connecting New York City to its airports are riddled with cracks and potholes that recall the Third World (except, many developing nations are actually pulling ahead and frequently boast gleaming new infrastructure). The city itself is filthier than I remember in more than a decade. The subway system dates from the 19th century. The mayor has appointed a rat czar.

America is still the worlds largest and, by some measures, most advanced economy. Yet its headlong futurity coexists with a country where bedbugs quite literally suck the life out of prisoners. New York, LA, Chicago, Seattle, and the Bay Area distill this apparent contradiction in especially concentrated form, but its a national problem. Indeed, Americas Republican-governed states are in some ways worse, since their low-tax, low-spending model fails to attract the sexy futuristic industries.

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Do Androids Dream of Terrible Streets? | Compact Mag - Compact Mag