SPACE NOMAD An easy-to-build Mars habitat design
£5.00
G. Bihari; T. Herzig. (2021), JBIS, 74, pp.6-20
Refcode: 2021.74.6
Abstract:
Due to the recently growing interest regarding the future colonization of Mars, an increasing number of plans have appeared in the last few years to fulfil the need for a safe habitat for the first Martian colonists. Numerous fanciful design ideas have been presented at competitions held by NASA and other space research organizations. However, our thorough investigation reveals that most designs suffer from shortcomings, and are either difficult to realize or do not meet the safety requirements of the Martian missions, for example, shielding against radiation or impacting particles, protection against decompression and freezing temperatures. After analysing the problems of safety and feasibility, we tried to design a habitat that is realizable – taking into account the cargo capacity of the spacecraft of the near future and the use of materials locally available on Mars. A further requirement for our design was that the pioneers’ habitat should not be a tiny, prison-like lair, but a spacious, liveable and safe living area, which is suitable for continuous habitation. The frame of our design is an inflatable structure, which is supplied with the proper shielding and insulation by locally available materials. The special ventilation system and the large greenhouses of this habitat provide the colonists with food, oxygen and liveable space – and perhaps even rocket propellant materials.
