Quote from: Local Trouble on Jul 03, 2016, 10:48:36 PM
Quote from: windebieste on Jul 03, 2016, 10:33:57 PM
Maybe the resource WY were pouring into it was time - not money.
You're overcomplicating it. The film told us that the company invested money in the colony in the form of at least one expensive atmosphere processor.
You're oversimplifying it. There's nothing uncomplicated about
making another planet fit for human habitation. Money isn't the only resource needed, either.
Van Leuwen commented that it takes decades to set up. The terraforming was only partially complete when the marines arrive and Acheron is still dependent upon the AP. Wait a few more decades until the planet possesses a self sustaining atmosphere - you need an ocean and plants for that. There's no sign of such at present, apart from a lot of rain. These are all essential and need to be part of the next stage of planetary transformation.
An atmosphere processor just isn't enough to make a planet habitable. Sure, it's essential to kickstart the process, but it's only the start of a
very complicated process. It doesn't even take into account how viable the soil is for growing plants and self sustaining agriculture. That will have to be addressed, too. A giant fancy hi tech tower won't fix that. Go watch 'The Martian' and see what it takes to make soil. Now apply that principal to a planetary scale.
Like I said, there's
nothing simple about terraforming. It's a massive engineering task beyond anything we are capable of today. I think it's demonstrated well in 'AlIENS' with the partially altered world that is LV-426.
Quote from: SM on Jul 03, 2016, 10:54:52 PM
It's a long term investment. When it's been successfully terraformed - you effectively own a planet(oid).
The shareholders will be pleased!
-Windebieste.