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1 results

  • 15 - The Future of Humankind

  • from Part VI - Futures
  • Manasvi Lingam, Florida Institute of Technology, Amedeo Balbi, Università degli Studi di Roma 'Tor Vergata'
  • Book:
    From Stars to Life
    Published online:
    22 November 2024
    Print publication:
    05 December 2024, pp 341-352

  • Summary

    This chapter explores a core question in astrobiology: what is the future of life on Earth and beyond? The first part describes the cessation of habitable conditions in Earth’s distant future (about a billion years hereafter), and the myriad risks that apparently confront humanity on shorter timescales, ranging from wars and artificial intelligence to asteroid impacts and massive volcanoes. The second segment outlines the possibility of humans migrating to other worlds in the solar system, and the numerous technological and logistical challenges expected to arise during this endeavour. The even more daunting notion of interstellar travel is also touched upon, and the propulsion systems and spacecraft advanced in this regard are sketched. The textbook comes to a close by taking stock of the fates that might await humankind.