In the future mankind will need to preposition re-fueling and supply stations on other planets to assist us in our space travel and exploration. Since all Planets are moving all the time in relation to each other it will be necessary to plan in advance our hop, skip and jump exploration missions. Currently the speeds of space exploration are somewhat limited and it takes time to reach destinations. It will be ultra critical to make sure each base station has the supplies necessary to continue the trips and life support systems at those base stations. Pre-packaged base stations will need to be sent, set up robotically and be fully functioning when the astronauts arrive if we are to consider manned space travel throughout the Solar System and beyond.
Since each planet is made up of different accumulations of material on or near their surfaces we will need to use the data we have from probes, satellites and telescopes to determine where these materials, elements and compounds are and how best to collect them. NASA scientists will need to further develop Artificial Intelligent systems and decision matrix scenarios and have written various programs to determine how best to use what is on each planet. Mine those materials and figure out which storage methods to use based on the hostility factors of the planet; lightening storms, solar radiation, temperature, asteroid strikes, tremblers and other possible damaging causes to the systems built. Any base station will need to be safe once the astronauts get there to insure continuation of their lives, but more importantly their mission and exploration data.
Indeed it would seem that depending on where the planet was based on its relationship to its star and the color it gives off from the surrounding light reflections that one might be able to determine what types of elements and compounds were there prior to getting there and there would need to be additional decision matrixes needed to determine the best use of local planetary material to be used for life support, refueling, supplies and oxygen. If we are to use the current decision making programs, then we will need to modify and add criteria as we leap frog to other planets to explore. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/