Is Planetary Occupation Possible?

[Yuri2356]

This would destroy the entire infrastructure and industry. Genocide with bioweapons will leave most buildings undamaged and is more cost-effective.

And adds annother viral agent to the environment with the potential to mutate into something that can make life hell for your colonists. There's a reson you need fresh flu shots every year. Darwin can be a real jerk with that kind of thing.

And, as Winner said, completely Alien infrastructure and environment would need to be torn down anyway, and replaced with something you can use, so why not kill two birds with one reletavistic stone? Just be carefull to not blast so deep that you ruin some usefull patch of raw materials.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

If they are not humans the virus will probably be incompatible with human physiology, if they are humans their infrastructure is useful.
Only one of your points is valid, and I believe the adaption of alien technology or a cure for a self made virus won't be too difficult for a civilization capable of interstellar warfare....

 

[Gladi]

I wouldn't say so - alien cities would be of no use, if they were not very human-like (which is very unpropable). This means that also their infastructure, food, pretty much all the everyday-use stuff wouldn't be suitable for humans. Maybe even the biosphere itself would be unsuitable.

Then it would be logical to wipe it out and resettle with your own people, animals plants etc.

There are only so many ways you can break atom, mine iron and move on land. Plus if they surrender then they are your aliens, and they need housing, nutrition and stuff of thir own.

If you have to atomize everything above planetery crust, it would be better to start spamming Dyson Spheres.