Eli5: What are the main things holding humanity back when it comes to being able to Terraform a planet or other large celestial objects in space?

Question

Eli5: What are the main things holding humanity back when it comes to being able to Terraform a planet or other large celestial objects in space?

In: 14

Answer 1

I will argue that collaboration is the biggest hurdle. Perhaps with time a single country might sine handedly develop the technology required to do what you’ve stated, but things start to get weird once you talk about colonizing a celestial object. You really extend your view of humanity to a planetary level, and the leaders humanity has had thus far simply don’t seem to operate on the scale. There are alliances, sure, but when push comes to shove every country is looking out for itself. If we get to the point of getting humans on Mars long term for example there is going to be a lot of talk on who “owns” spaces on Mars.

Answer 2

I will argue that collaboration is the biggest hurdle. Perhaps with time a single country might sine handedly develop the technology required to do what you’ve stated, but things start to get weird once you talk about colonizing a celestial object. You really extend your view of humanity to a planetary level, and the leaders humanity has had thus far simply don’t seem to operate on the scale. There are alliances, sure, but when push comes to shove every country is looking out for itself. If we get to the point of getting humans on Mars long term for example there is going to be a lot of talk on who “owns” spaces on Mars.