Could Nasa's James Webb Space Telescope detect alien life?

So you are blissfully unaware that the Moon's gravity is only 1/6th of the gravity here on Earth?

All that was needed was a capsule with a small rocket motor capable of reaching orbital velocity around the Moon. That capsule was the top part of the lunar lander. The lower part that had the deceleration and landing rockets became the launch pad for the capsule to return to orbit and dock with the return module that contained the rockets necessary to achieve escape velocity from the Moon in order to return to Earth.

All of the above is very elementary and anyone with an ounce of curiosity could have found it out for themselves.

 

Well, there is one very serious truth in what you say here.

There is no Plan B.

We need to make Earth work for us.

And, that doesn't seem to be much of a priority right now.

 

Well...you should read about numerous astronauts who have spent lots of time aboard the ISS...who have not yet gone insane.
Of course 'millions' won't be transported to another planet for colonization, but even starting with a few people on another planet over time and within the constraints of the environment, they can evolve into millions. FYI...when humans are faced with their peril on Earth, 7-10 billion Earthlings are going to vanish with only a few humans possibly being placed on another planet...it's the survival of the human species...not a plan to relocate billions of humans...

 

I don't believe that is an adequate comparison. ISS missions are time limited, are well supplied, are within reach in emergency conditions and don't in any way include the whole of the future lives of those so sequestered. Living in a sealed cave on a different planet can't be considered equivalent. Plus, we have no way of feeding a meaningful population on another planet.

For the human species to survive on earth, the smallest number of members is considered to be several thousand.

For survival in an extremely dangerous and austere environment on some other planet, surely the number would need to be larger.

 

Indeed so, Will. The global population explosion should be the first thing to be addressed - and more importantly dealt with. There are too many countries where the so-called nuclear family consists of a mother, 6+ sprogs, and a drunken father.

 

Um, could that be because they know it's only a temporary assignment, and that they can leave any time they wish? And what would be the selection criteria for those who are despatched for the purpose of perpetuating our species? And if they were sent to Mars, they'd all be dead in a week or two of exposure, starvation, and lack of fluids. Or would the chosen ones be from the ruling classes and elitists? I'll bet they'd be first in line in the departures lounge? lol The point is that the un-selected masses wouldn't allow the space vehicles to even take off, never mind arrive on Mars. I don't think you've thought this through? Come to think about it though, I think that story-line would make for a jolly good disaster movie.

 

Humans are not going to another planet unless all questions are answered to sustain human life. And, colonizing Mars or some other planet is not like visiting Disneyland for a weekend. They will be long term and IMO mostly one-way voyages. There used to be an artificial biosphere in AZ where they were testing a contained lifestyle and sustainability...it was smallish and as livable as anything humans are used to except unlimited mobility. Any colonization of another planet will start with a 'few' humans, and if it is workable and/or sustainable, can grow to any levels that make sense. We don't yet know what potential exists away from Earth...

 

Humans are not going anywhere until it makes sense...

 

True. Plus, surely it will be gated by whether there is a serious reason for humans to be there.

 

My preference is to build a biosphere spaceship, human capacity maybe 200-300, all passengers with one-way tickets, and just see where it goes...