[QUEST FOR LIFE – DATA UPDATE]
FAE
DESTINATION Distance From Surface
Surface
Earth (km) / Temp (Min- Pressure
(x Earth)
Sun (AU)
Max) K
Earth*
N/A
190-345
1
1 AU
(Avg 288)
Radius
(km)
Gravity
(g)
Water
Atmosphere
Thick, nitrogen
rich. Also contains
oxygen.
Thick, mostly CO2.
Contains Sulfuric
Acid.
6371
1
Liquid Water
Abundant
Venus
4.2 x 107 km 725-735
0.72 AU
92
6052
0.904
Billions of years
ago was cooler
and likely had
liquid water
Mars
7.5 x 107 km 130-308
1.5 AU
0.6
3396
0.376
Evidence of
Previous water.
Possibly frozen
water.
Thin, mostly CO2.
Contains traces of
methane.
Surface entirely
frozen, but most
likely liquid water
underneath
Some evidence
for small amounts
of frozen water.
Very thin,
composed mostly
of oxygen
Europa (Moon 6 x 108 km
of Jupiter)
5.2 AU
50-125
10-12
1561
0.134
6 x 108 km
5.2 AU
90-130
10-9
1821
0.186
1.5
2575
0.140
Frozen water
present, likely
liquid water
underneath
Thick, rich in
Nitrogen
Various
Various
Numerous
planets possible,
perhaps with
oceans just like
that of the Earth
Numerous planets
possible, perhaps
with atmospheres
just like that of the
Earth
Io (Moon of
Jupiter)
Titan (Moon of 1.25 x 109 km 90-95
Saturn)
9.5 AU
Alpha
Centauri (Star
System)
4.13 x 1013 km Numerous
(4.37 light years) planets
15000+ AU possible,
providing a
vast range of
temperatures
Numerous
planets
possible,
providing a
vast range of
pressures
Very Thin,
composed of
mostly Sulfur
Dioxide
Extra
Only known life
Massive greenhouse
effect could have
dried up the planet
(Climate study,
possible past life)
Evidence of past
tectonic activity.
Already landed
robotic rover.
(Geologic
understanding,
possible past life)
Hydrothermal vents
under frozen surface
are likely to exist
(Possible life)
Only other body in
solar system with
known active
volcanism.
Composition similar
to terrestrial planets.
(Geological studies,
volcanic studies)
Produces products
like ethane and other
fuels when it “rains.”
(Fuel research,
possible life)
Entire star system,
consisting of
numerous stars
possibly an entirely
new solar system.
Anything discovered
here would be a
historical first.
*Earth has been added only for ease of comparison.
Data acquired from the following:
http://theanswermachine.tripod.com/id2.html
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/
Other Info:
Water Freezes at 273 K, Boils at 373 K
1 AU = 150,000,000 km = Distance from Sun to Earth
1 light year = 9.46 x 1012 km
ROCKET DATA
ARES-V: Speed: 34000 kph
Cargo: 2 robotic landing craft
HELIOS-X1: Speed: 320,000 kph
Cargo: 4 man crew
Cannot transport living things
Max Life Support Time: 2 Years
*Available now
*Not Available for 7 years
FAE – Space Exploration
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