Where would you colonise?

[FlyingPete]

So lets talk colonisation projects. Where would you choose to set up a permanently-manned colony off Kerbin? Not just an outpost/base that you rotate crews, but a permanent settlement on another world.

My first choice would be Eve- it's relatively easy to get to, there's a substantial atmosphere for aerobraking, parachuting supplies/equipment/colonists to the surface and flying aircraft, plus plenty of sights to see. It makes exploration much easier if you don't intend to bring the crew back to Kerbin. I think Laythe is a good option too (if a little far away) due to the large quantities of water, oxygen and some sort of sandy deposits. Duna (Ike included) has its advantages too.

Anyone brave/stupid enough to try for Moho or Eeloo?

[SpaceExplorer]

Laythe makes the most sense for a permanently manned colony, due to the water, atmosphere and "sand". Although in the case of simplicity, and ease to set one up, I would go with Duna, due to the atmosphere and its relative closeness with Kerbin.

[Cerberus738]

Laythe makes the most sense doesn't it?! Water and oxygen.... my understanding is that those two things are the key to life!

[Bill Phil]

Interplanetary space. Grab some comets and you have not only water, but oxygen. Maybe even some carbon compounds to help you with food production. No landing required. Just mining in space.

[Starhawk]

Laythe is the choice for me. Oxygen means spaceplane shuttles can efficiently carry Kerbals from orbit to surface and vice-versa. Oxygen (and water?) make it a good place, and the views... wow. Plus easy access to all those other places.

Happy landings!

[dryer_lint]

Laythe. It looks enough like Earth/Kerbin to avoid going crazy from... spaaaace maadneesss!

[GreenWolf]

For a one way trip? Definitely Eve. It's the easiest place to get to and land on outside of the Kerbin system, and the relative frequency of transfer windows makes it easy to keep up a steady stream of resupply ships and new equipment.

However, if I need to bring the kerbals back eventually, I'd probably go with Ike or Laythe. Ike, because it's easy to land and take off from, and its proximity to Duna allows for delta-v savings on the way in (and on the way out if you're clever with your transfer burns). Laythe, because, you know, it's Laythe.

[Sanguine]

Laythe would be the most sensitive place to colonise. I don't remember what the name of the thread was, however, it simply had a massive debate over whether Laythe was suitable for life. At the end, it was concluded that Laythe had the possibility of an Ozone layer, which meant that the radiation emitted by Jool would be reduced somewhat, and that life could survive. Even if there was no ozone layer, life could survive deep in the oceans, and this could eventually lead to there being an ozone layer, and so on. So, if I were serious, I would colonise Laythe. If I want to have fun though, find a massive F class asteroid and colonise it.

[Thomas988]

Laythe, not because it is the world most like Kerbin, nor that it is the most suitable location for long-term survival, but because Jool looks pretty!

[AbacusWizard]

Laythe. All the comforts of home, with lower gravity for easy acrobatics (and easy launches), plenty of interesting places to visit nearby, and breathtakingly beautiful skies.

Edited March 19, 2015 by AbacusWizard

[Bekiekutmoar]

Well, I'd vote for Laythe too. Oxygen atmosphere makes very economical exploration (Jet Engines) possible and the views are a big plus too. Especially with EVE and KSPRC / AVP installed.

[eddiew]

Laythe. An oxygenated atmosphere makes all things much safer, it has water, you can grow food, delta-v to land at the base is negligible, and it opens up all the mining possibilities in the Joolian system.

[Barefoot Friar]

Not Laythe. The possibility of contaminating it with Kerbin bacteria and other organisms is too high and that could disrupt or destroy what life there is on Laythe. For that reason I'd go with an airless moon.

[Kegereneku]

I would not establish a surface colony, I'm a children of the stars, I would exploit asteroid resources and maybe, have some mining station on surface.

[Wanderfound]

In Kerbal? Anywhere, although Duna is probably the easiest start point.

In the real world? Nowhere. Not a murderer.

[RainDreamer]

Kerbin.

The kerbals haven't even finished colonizing their home planet yet.

I want to build two radio station bases at the poles with huge antenna dishes to communicate with far away satellites more easily.

[Random Tank]

Why can I only pick one option?

[Slam_Jones]

I was gonna say Duna, but... Laythe. The ability to have air-breathing engines makes everything just SO much easier.

And plus, liquid water. Need I say more?

[thadisjones]

Logic suggests that the first large colonization should be the Mun. Logistically, the proximity to Kerbin alone is a great advantage over everyone's favorite, Laythe. Remember, just because it has oxygen doesn't mean Laythe is any less hostile to imported life- the air is still toxic, the planet is still cold as hell, and since there is no plant growth, there is just as much topsoil (none!) on Laythe as there is on the Mun. The potential to purify oxygen from the atmosphere doesn't outweigh the fact that for a full colonization, you'd have to import everything else necessary to break down and refine the natural minerals to grow plants. At that point, you're well on your way to a self-contained CO2/O2 cycle anyway. And it's even easier than that to ship raw resources back to Kerbin from the Mun than from Laythe, making the venture self-funding as well as self-sufficient, the Mun's lower gravity and lack of atmosphere make it a better location for stockpiling and shipbuilding, closer proximity to Kerbol and again no atmosphere is much better for solar power collection… the advantages are endless.

And then I vote LAYTHE because it has better POSTCARDS. FROM LAYTHE.

[Aragosnat]

What no all of the above? I would colinize every where. Just likely to colonize the Mün and Minmus first as they will be good starting points for going else where.

[Scotius]

Mun, Duna, Laythe - in this order. Eve? Do you realise that any small misstep and stumble is potentially lethal there? That gravity...gah

[justidutch]

I would go with building terrariums on the various big space potatoes out there

[Raptor9]

Laythe would be the most sensitive place to colonise. I don't remember what the name of the thread was, however, it simply had a massive debate over whether Laythe was suitable for life. At the end, it was concluded that Laythe had the possibility of an Ozone layer, which meant that the radiation emitted by Jool would be reduced somewhat, and that life could survive. Even if there was no ozone layer, life could survive deep in the oceans, and this could eventually lead to there being an ozone layer, and so on. So, if I were serious, I would colonise Laythe. If I want to have fun though, find a massive F class asteroid and colonise it.

This ^^^, and to echo other points in here regarding Laythe:

PROS:

1) Water (in theory could lead to fuel generation right?)

2) Atmosphere thick enough to aerobrake and fly in, but not too thick to make drag an issue.

3) Oxygen in atmosphere assists in life support and jet engine/RAPIER function, meaning efficient SSTO sorties to and from orbit.

4) Gravity is comparable to Kerbin, only 20% less. Ideal for long-term habitation and aircraft/spacecraft efficiency.

5) Possible resources closeby in the rest of the Joolian sector. Various types of moons and biomes mean more types of resources that can assist in self-sustainment.

6) For the same reasons as the previous pro, many opportunities for scientific research around Jool and her moons, meaning higher payoffs in the form of contracts, funds, and reputation.

CONS:

1) Unknown radiation hazards in the Joolian sector as stated above by Sanguine.

2) Very little landmass that is scattered across the planet, long-range expeditions would need air or surface craft to travel.

3) To get to Laythe on the innermost orbit around Jool, you have to dodge a gauntlet of gravity SOI's that could sling your ship out into deep space, another moon, or Jool itself.

4) VERY far from Kerbin compared to other destinations.

[justidutch]

Upon further consideration, I think I would actually start a colony on Kerbin, seeing as how there isn't one yet!

And the KSC cluster of buildings doesn't count as a colony. Or does it?

[BrainiacBlue]

Laythe would be best for a colony, not that we have colony parts so those 'set up base HERE' contracts are basically pointless.