Watch these recommended TED-Ed Lessons

Could we survive prolonged space travel?
Prolonged space travel plays a severe toll on the human body: microgravity impairs muscle and bone growth, and high doses of radiation cause irreversible mutations. As we seriously consider the human species becoming space-faring, a big question stands: even if we do break free from Earth’s orbit, can we adapt to the extreme environments of space? Lisa Nip examines our odds.

Why is NASA sending a spacecraft to a metal world?
In 2026, an unmanned NASA spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at 16 Psyche, a massive, metallic asteroid floating somewhere between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Why is NASA so interested in this heavy metal asteroid? Are we going to mine all that metal, or build a giant space magnet? Linda T. Elkins-Tanton explains how the real answer can be found right under our feet.


Additional references

Here's Elon Musk's complete, sweeping vision on colonizing Mars to save humanity - Business Insider
SpaceX founder and billionaire Elon Musk wants to launch a million people to Mars in hopes of saving humanity from certain doom . Musk presented his sweeping vision at the 67th International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, during a roughly 63-minute speech.

NASA backs designs for 3D-printed homes on Mars - CNN
Research and architecture studio AI Space Factory has designed a 3D-printed house for the surface of Mars -- and it looks like a beehive. Dubbed the Marsha Project, the vertical dwelling was dreamt up for NASA's 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge, and has been endorsed by the agency.