If we had to leave Earth and could only go somewhere within our solar system, excluding Mars, there are several destinations within our solar system that scientists and space agencies have considered for future human exploration. Here are a few notable options:
Moon: The Moon remains an intriguing destination for future crewed missions. We have already landed astronauts on the Moon during the Apollo missions, but future endeavors might involve establishing a sustainable lunar presence, constructing habitats, and utilizing resources like water ice found in permanently shadowed regions.
Venus: Although Venus has a harsh and inhospitable atmosphere, with extremely high temperatures and pressure, there have been proposals to explore and study its atmosphere using robotic missions or even manned floating habitats. The upper atmosphere of Venus has more moderate conditions, making it a potential area of interest.
Asteroids: Near-Earth asteroids are another potential target for human exploration. Asteroid mining and resource utilization have been considered as viable options for future space exploration and could potentially serve as stepping stones for further exploration deeper into the solar system.
Europa: One of Jupiter's moons, Europa, has been of significant interest due to the presence of a subsurface ocean beneath its icy crust. Exploring Europa and its potential for hosting extraterrestrial life is an exciting possibility, and future missions may involve sending robotic probes or even crewed missions to investigate this intriguing moon.
Titan: Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is known for its complex atmosphere and the presence of lakes and rivers of liquid methane and ethane. Titan has been the focus of study for understanding prebiotic chemistry and its potential for hosting life. Future missions might involve sending robotic missions to explore its surface and study its unique characteristics.
It's important to note that while these destinations have been considered for future exploration, the feasibility, timing, and priority of human missions to these locations would depend on various factors such as technological advancements, scientific objectives, and resource availability.