Colonization of Mercury

Mercury

Mercury has been suggested as one possible target for space colonization of the inner solar system, along with Mars, the Moon and the asteroid field.

Advantages

There would be significant high grade ores available for mining and abundant sunlight for energy.

Similarity to the Moon

It is stated that the colonization of Mercury could be performed with in general the same technology, approach and equipment as the colonization of the Earth's Moon. Like Luna, it does not have any significant atmosphere, is relatively close to the Sun and performs slow revolutions with a small tilt of its axis.

Mercury's north pole

Ice in polar craters

In spite of its position close to the Sun, the existence of ice deposits in the Mercury's polar areas has been theorized, which makes them the best choice to place a human base.

Solar energy

Because of close position to the Sun, the planet has vast amounts of the solar power resources. There is also the suggested existence of so-called peaks of eternal light, similar to those of the Moon - the areas eternally radiated by the Sun and located at the poles of the planet.

Valuable resources

There are some predictions of the large amounts of helium-3 in Mercury's soil, which may become important for the future energy economy of the solar system.

Considerable gravity

Because of the relatively large amount of iron core, there is considerable gravity force on Mercury's surface, similar to that of Mars. This would make Mercury much more attractive for long-term human exploration than the Moon.

Disadvantages

The lack of any substantial atmosphere, proximity to the sun and slow rate of rotation would all lead to significant challenges for any future human settlement.

See also

• Mercury (planet)
• Space colonization