Asteroids May Get the Job Done

Knowing you want to terraform a world is one thing; really knowing how to achieve it is quite another. There must be some quick cuts if the goal is to completely alter a planet's ecosystem. Asteroids are another significant one that have already altered the Earth numerous times in the past.

An entire planet's trajectory can be substantially changed by an asteroid collision if it is large enough. Recall that most scientists thought that this marked the end of the dinosaur era. However, if we were to command an asteroid to strike a planet like Mars, it might release components that have been held deep beneath the Martian surface, change the climate, and bring helpful elements.

One idea called for launching an asteroid into the globe using satellites. While it wouldn't terraform the entire planet, it might create a region that is habitable. The impact would produce a lake of surface water and heat the rock, creating a habitat that could support human life for thousands of years.