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Darwin showed us that evolution is never a static system, species evolve and die out in response to environmental demands. As we move into Space we will be changed, we will evolve, adapt to new worlds. To say that our technology will protect us is incorrect, the question is how far will we go as a species - providing of course that we do not create an extinction event or fall into social collapse.

I contemplate the changes that will be made to us and as a result of our exploration in this environment. Of course in Science Fiction the authors explore this territory, the novel, Dune by Frank Herbert with his Guild Navigators mutated by the spice melange is a popular example of the human species evolving. In addressing the near space environment we NASA, RKA and NSAU are researching bone and muscle loss in low or micro gravity environments, radiation exposure and human factors. What will the solutions be ? Would the changes be applied at the genetic level ? How about fifty to a hundred years of space colonization ? These are just responses to immediate problems are being discovered.

A hundred years to five hundred years, a significant period of time for a species to be exposed to space and the planetary bodies within the solar system even from within a technological cocoon. Hazards and responses, life on the Moon, Mars or even orbiting habitats. To survive our minds and bodies will have changed depending on environments.

Are we at a dividing point of the human species, homoLunus, homoMartian, homoOrbitus ? Maybe we will evolve the technology to totally cocoon us from the effects of space travel, I do doubt this because regardless of how isolated one is from the effects of the environment there will be changes. Satellite systems, food production, unintended guests hitching a ride, intended guests - our little experiments that we drag with us will start on their own evolutionary journeys.

I doubt that the Vulcans will come and save us from some galactic community, if we are lucky we might be able to talk to someone else but I suspect that we will become the Vulcans and Klingons of the future. Turf wars over asteroid mining, colonization of the other bodies, fighting solar flares, mistakes, oversight, pushing the limits, the boundaries. What really gets me is that with this environment to be explored we chose to continue to trash this planet looking for energy that is in reality plentiful.

As you can tell I ask this question from the sidelines, by some personal issues. I was amazed that the question was not asked - so I ask it here.

Learn more about this author, Jowey Styxx.
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