Planetary Life Support

Human needs have not changed for centuries. As the world's first explorers set off to discover new lands and map uncharted territories, they had to make sure that basic survival requirements were met. To endure these long voyages, human beings had to make sure they had food, water, air and adequate shelter on hand. If any one of these basic needs were not met, life would be put in jeopardy.

In 1606 King James I granted a charter to the Virginia Company, a group of London entrepreneurs, to establish an English settlement in North America. Before beginning the long journey, the settlers estimated how much food and water they would need for the voyage and for sustenance once they arrived in the New World. There was no guarantee that food would be plentiful in this strange new land.

The settlers would need to use their knowledge of chemistry and food science to find ways to preserve their food in storage.

The voyage lasted nearly five months. With limited space on board the ships and few methods for preserving food, very few kinds of foods could be stored and carried. No cooling or refrigeration was available, so all food was salted, dried or pickled in vinegar to help prevent spoiling.

Ships often stopped at the Canary Islands, or Caribbean islands, to trade for fresh provisions. Fruits, vegetables and sea tortoises could be added to the normally bland diet, but fresh supplies needed to be used quickly before they spoiled.

The settlers would need to use their communication skills and their bartering skills. We learn these skills in Language Arts, Economics, and Social Studies.

A wonderful sight greeted the Jamestown settlers when they finally reached Virginia. George Percy, one of the settlers, wrote about the beautiful trees and fresh waters. The area appeared to be filled with wildlife and edible plants. When Captain Newport returned to England for fresh supplies, the settlers were instructed to trade for food with the native inhabitants of the area, the Powhatan Indians. Unfortunately, relations with the Virginia Indians were often unpredictable.

The settlers would need to use math skills to estimate the amount of food they would need to carry and problem solving skills to make the most of their limited space to store their supplies.

Reflecting upon the hardships faced by the early settlers several key issues stand out.

The settlers never planned to be self-sustaining and to grow all of their own food. Their plan from the beginning was to trade and barter.
There was no way for them to know there would be a drought so severe even the Powhatan would struggle to grow enough food.
The water supply carried bacteria which led to disease such as typhoid and cholera.
The settlers relied heavily upon Captain John Smith to communicate and trade with the Powhatan. Smith was injured and had to return to England leaving the settlers without a strong communicator to speak to the Powhatan on their behalf.
Supplies were lost and delayed because of storms while in route.

As a result there were only 60 of the original 214 settlers still living when their supplies finally arrived.

What does information about the settlers in the early 1600's have to do with life on other planets?

Actually, a whole lot. Space is considered a future environment where pioneers will journey towards and establish a settlement.

Mars One Mission

The Goldilocks Principle

A favorite English Fairy Tale is Goldilocks and The Three Bears.

Basically, a little girl goes into the home of the three bears and makes herself at home by trying each of their chairs, porridge, and beds. In all three situations she chooses the item that is considered "just right" not too hot and not too cold, etc.

The Goldilocks principle describes a situation which is just right in a manner akin to that portrayed in the tale. The concept exists not only in literature but also in astronomy and economics. A Goldilocks planet is neither too close to nor too far from a star to rule out life, while a Goldilocks economy is one that sustains moderate growth and low inflation, which is seen to allow a market-friendly monetary policy.

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