I've heard this argument a few times, but basically, it's easier to colonize Antarctica than, say, the moon. So, is it plausible for the respective powers of the Cold War (or any nation at any time for that matter) to turn their gazes towards that huge chunk of ice, instead of the huge ball of rock in the sky?
Antarctica: The Final - wait what!?
- Thread starter loneranger
- Start date
No. There were two reasons to go to the moon. 1. the Prestige of saying "Hey we got there first" and 2. the possible scientific knowlege of what the moon is like. It also had the additional effect of motivating scientists to make scientific advances faster in support of some huge cause. Antartica doesn't grant any prestige (Yay, we own a giant useless hunk of ice!) and while there is a lot of scientific knowledge to be gained there, it is not a huge motivating factor for scientists to work on.
The only way I can see great world powers turning their attention towards Antartica instead of the moon is if you have a super early POD. Add some mystery and mystique to the giant chunk of ice. Then try to get rid of mankind's curiosity about space (good luck). Either way, the POD is so early that I doubt you see anything like out OTL Cold War.
The only way I can see great world powers turning their attention towards Antartica instead of the moon is if you have a super early POD. Add some mystery and mystique to the giant chunk of ice. Then try to get rid of mankind's curiosity about space (good luck). Either way, the POD is so early that I doubt you see anything like out OTL Cold War.
Not public support (and not necessarily the Cold War, either, pretty any POD and countries will do) per se, but starting off with putting scientific bases on Antarctica, maybe, and expanding into bio-domes, etc. Then, by the time we DO go into space, we can start right off planting a colony instead of a damn flag 
One POD would be the 'big' countries (France, USSR, US, etc.) not focusing on Antarctica at all for whatever reason, leaving it to the Southern countries. Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and so on. In this ATL, no Antarctic Treaty is signed, so they build up bases and prospect for minerals and resources down there. Chile has a civilian settlement--with children!--on the South Shetlands, so it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for them to have permanent settlements on Antarctica proper. Argentina has actually had children born in Antarctica (in 1978), and also has families semi-permanently settled there, so it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for them, either. You could even see a war between them over their claims.
EDIT: Hey, that would really be a nifty TL. (Not necessarily the ice war, though) Too bad I don't really have the time or skill to make it, though.
EDIT: Hey, that would really be a nifty TL. (Not necessarily the ice war, though) Too bad I don't really have the time or skill to make it, though.
Thing is they did (International Polar Year; Antarctic Treaty... personally, I'm not all that keen on the latter as it suspends Australia's rightful claim to 40% of the continent)... Have you seen the number of scientific stations dotting the continent?
Of cause, it's not as high profile as space...
Ha ha, I just started a TL which is going to have that (amongst other things) once we hit the '80s. "A Colder War". Let me know what you think!
Yeah, Argentina and Chile actually have FAMILIES on a semi-permanent basis down there.
If that's not this close to colonization...Faraday Cage
The Nazis build a secret fortress (actually a chain of facilities) in the Antartic and the high command flees there when the war is ending. Later both Americans and Russians rush to be the first to conquer these last redoubts and by the nature of their rivalry divide the Antarctic between them as they go. The facilities are captured and later renovated and expanded and many of the scientists captured are put to work on projects in labs based out of those remote and highly secure bases.
Too farfetched?
Too farfetched?
Not to mention that Antarctica is still on Earth, and if something bad happens to the climate, you're still screwed. At least on the moon you don't have to worry about a wild climate. It also gives humanity a stepping stone to leaving Earth behind and seeking far vaster resources, Out There. Besides, why would you want to colonize Penguinia? You got energy on the moon, and can break oxygen and water from the regolith. Not to mention the fact you never have to worry about being overweight on Luna.