Grab a spacesuit and a few months of provisions. We’re taking you on a tour of the Interplanetary Parks Service.
The Ringed Planet rises over the strange ridge of its moon Iapetus in this still from a computer-animated film released by NASA's Cassini team. (Credit: NASA) Space is harsh. From damaging radiation to deadly gases and drastic temperature changes, pretty much any environment beyond Earth can kill you at a moment’s notice. Yet our cosmic backyard boasts natural wonders that rival the greatest found on terra firma. And, one day, when we have the technology for deep-space rocket launches, suitable protective gear, enough provisions to last the average hiker — and any number of X factors — lucky adventurers may get to hike these solar system monuments. It’s a far-future vision, a sort of Interplanetary Parks Service, where an extraterrestrial great outdoors beckons you toward adventure.
