planetary-engineering-history

The chapter introduces the concept of terraforming as the transformation of other planets to support human life, tracing its evolution from science fiction to a scientifically grounded field. It highlights the collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts behind the idea, the historical and cultural roots of planetary engineering, and the importance of understanding Earth's biosphere to inform future planetary transformations. The chapter also emphasizes the growing scientific legitimacy of terraforming through space exploration data and sets the stage for examining specific planetary targets like Mars and Venus.