terraforming

noun

1. (uncountable)The hypothetical process of deliberately modifying the atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology of a planet, moon, etc. to make it similar to those of Earth and thus suitable for human life.

   “Almarcrux's abundant water and relatively mild temperature and gravity have placed it on the short list of terraforming candidate worlds. However, there is significant opposition from eco-ethics groups, who assert that Almarcrux's primitive methanotrophic bacteria may be a precursor to a full-fledged native ecology.”

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of terraform