Human outposts are artificially-created, controlled human habitats located in environments inhospitable for humans, such as on the ocean floor, in space or on another planet.
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The logistics and difficulties inherent in such ventures have been heavily explored in written science fiction, inspiring several scientists and governments around the world, some of whom have already started working toward small-scale trials.
In the future, Earth-like planets may be found, as popularly shown in science fiction films of current times, which are habitable for humans and other earthlings and hence human habitats there will not have to be artificially created or controlled and yet human outposts may be able to flourish just like cities here on Earth.
In fiction
Human outposts in other worlds are a common motif in science fiction, whether established and occupied solely by humans or in cooperation – or competition – with alien species. The setting may be another planet, Earthlike or otherwise; or a spaceship large enough to house a city.
Under sea
NASA currently trains astronauts in an under-sea habitat, to simulate living and working in the International Space Station. They conduct scientific research on the human body and coral reefs, and build undersea structures to simulate space station assembly spacewalk tasks. The program is also being used to study how isolation affects human behaviour, to prepare for the first human outposts on the Moon and Mars.
Outer space
The Salyut 1 Space station in low Earth orbit was the first human outpost in space. The only current human outpost in space is the International Space Station, though China's Tiangong-1 is periodically occupied.
Planning and design for Lunar and Martian outposts is underway.