> But as soon as we cross into the colony phase, wouldn’t that restriction just make things harder?
I think not just harder, because the first colonies will enable scientists to study the pristine environment in more depth, while the colonies itself will be small and costs of a sterilization will be relatively low. So the onset of uncontrolled contamination should probably be delayed until well after the first colony.
I think not just harder, because the first colonies will enable scientists to study the pristine environment in more depth, while the colonies itself will be small and costs of a sterilization will be relatively low. So the onset of uncontrolled contamination should probably be delayed until well after the first colony.