How one entrepreneur wants to make humanity a multi-planet species by colonizing Venus

You may have heard of Elon Musk’s vision to send humans to Mars and establish a permanent settlement there. But did you know that there is another entrepreneur who has an even more ambitious plan to colonize another planet in our solar system?

His name is Guillermo Söhnlein, and he is the cofounder of OceanGate Expeditions, a company that offers deep-sea exploration trips to the Titanic and other underwater destinations. He is also the founder and chairman of Humans2Venus, a private venture that aims to send 1,000 people to live in the Venusian atmosphere by 2050.

Why Venus?

Venus may seem like an unlikely choice for human colonization. After all, it is often called “Earth’s evil twin” because of its harsh conditions. Its surface temperature is hot enough to melt lead, its atmospheric pressure is crushing, and its clouds are made of sulfuric acid. Not exactly a hospitable place for life.

However, Söhnlein believes that there is a layer of the Venusian atmosphere where humans could theoretically survive. According to NASA, this layer is about 30 miles from the surface, where the temperature is lower and the pressure is similar to Earth’s. Söhnlein envisions creating a floating colony that could withstand the acidic clouds and provide a comfortable habitat for the colonists.

How feasible is it?

Söhnlein admits that his plan is aspirational, but he also thinks it is doable by 2050. He says he has been dreaming of making humanity a multi-planet species since he was 11 years old, and he has faith in the abilities of engineers and scientists to overcome the challenges of space exploration.

He also points out that colonizing Venus has some advantages over colonizing Mars. For one thing, Venus is closer to Earth than Mars, which means shorter travel times and easier communication. For another thing, Venus has almost the same gravity as Earth, which means less health problems for the colonists due to microgravity.

What are the challenges?

Of course, colonizing Venus is not without its difficulties. One of the biggest challenges is designing a space station that can survive in the corrosive and windy environment of the Venusian atmosphere. Söhnlein says he is looking into using materials that are resistant to sulfuric acid, such as titanium or carbon fiber.

Another challenge is finding a way to generate power and resources for the colony. Söhnlein says he is considering using solar panels or nuclear reactors for electricity, and extracting water and oxygen from the atmosphere or from asteroids.

A third challenge is convincing people to join the colony and live in a floating city above a hellish planet. Söhnlein says he hopes to attract adventurous and curious individuals who are willing to take risks and explore new frontiers.

What are the benefits?

Söhnlein believes that colonizing Venus would have many benefits for humanity. He says it would expand our knowledge of the solar system and our place in it. It would also inspire future generations to pursue science and technology. And it would provide a backup plan in case something goes wrong on Earth.

He also thinks that colonizing Venus would be a fun and exciting experience for the colonists. He says they would be able to enjoy spectacular views of the planet and its clouds, as well as witness phenomena such as sunrises and sunsets that last for hours.

What are the next steps?

Söhnlein says he is currently working on developing a roadmap and a timeline for his project. He says he plans to launch a series of missions to Venus in the next decade, starting with robotic probes and balloons, followed by manned capsules and habitats.

He says he hopes to partner with other organizations and individuals who share his vision and passion for space exploration. He also invites anyone who is interested in joining his venture or learning more about it to visit his website or contact him directly.

What do you think of Söhnlein’s plan? Do you think it is realistic or crazy? Would you like to be one of the 1,000 colonists who live on Venus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!