Document ETH-344: Habitability Review of Eth

Eth would be a difficult planet for humans to live on. The atmosphere is one of the biggest challenges, as the calcium chloride cannot come into contact with human skin or lungs. The low carbon content in the ecosystem would mean most ethian life would be of little nourishment, and most of the stored chemical energy is in calcium polymers, indigestible to Old Earth life. Water on Eth is hazardous, leaving most areas in a perpetual drought but also flooding other areas, that would destroy surface buildings.

A Colony on Eth
However, Eth could be potentially habitable, if humans were to live underground. The poisonous atmosphere would be no problem, and the necessary gasses could be extracted and pumped down. The rock is relatively easy to dig through, making a large scale operation cost efficient. The regular and predictable geothermal activity would provide a basically unlimited source of power. Water is also most abundant underground. Food could be generated from massive hydroponic farms, being able to sustain a large population. While the Eth ecosystem cannot provide for human life, the planet is still a viable option for an colony.