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1000Planets, Inc Mars Settlement ProposalGetting to MarsTable of Contents Trip ScenariosHere's some data for optimal trip scenarios. The data is in sets of two: Earth to Mars and then Mars to Earth. 6 week launch window every two years. 1 cycle . the time between Earth/Mars conjunctions. About 2.5 years or 960 days.
Building A Space Station or Star ShipThe primary objective for manned space stations or ships is to keep people alive. At one time and for many years I was of the belief that the best way to build a space station or passenger ship was to use the external fuel tanks of the Space Shuttle. In recent years the Government and NASA have hit me over the head so many times with the truth of the matter. That truth is that the shuttle external tanks will never be available for such construction. Since I had done my Calculations on the basis that they would be available, I have transferred those calculations over to similar size modules built specifically for real space ships, space stations, and habitat modules that can be used on Luna and Mars. The plans that I now envision would use 8 of these external tanks bolted together in an elongated circle around an engine. Conveniently these tanks will have attachment flanges where they were attached to the solid rocket boosters, and other attachment points to make it easy to bolt a ship or space station together. Since I have decided that we would have to build our own from scratch we have decided to have two different lengths but the same diameter. The diameter would be 28 feet and the lengths would be 150 feet and 75 feet. In joining these 8 tanks together to make a ship provisions would be made so that each of these tanks could be a separate independent habitat that could support a total of 20 people for the 6-month journey to Mars. These tanks would then be separated to land on Mars to provide the Habitat for the colony. Even though the ships would be capable of housing 160 people only 96 or 100 would make the trip in each ship. The tanks that make up the ship would be at least 30.5 meters apart, braced front and rear. Braces would be attached at the same places the boosters were attached to the module. Passageways would be placed between the modules for passage between the modules. For space ships the 30.5-meter separations would house solar panels. If the ships were destined to a planetary colony the solar cells would be disassembled at the end of the trip and used on the planetary surface along with the modules that made up the ship. If the modules were to make up a space station the frames would be covered over to provide a completely enclosed workspace and more living space. The solar panels would be attached to these surfaces. Space ConstructionThe majority of the work to be done will be done on the surface of Earth. The modules that make up the unit, regardless of its intended use, whether it is a space station or a space ship will be will be built and outfitted near the launch site. The units will all be built on an assembly line principle, with only the Mid Deck being .built to order.. This may include the elimination of the upper deck. Once the unit is constructed it will be shipped to orbit. Once in orbit it will be configured into whatever purpose it was intended. For our purposes there would only be two major configurations. A space station and a transit ship to Mars. However these units would be for sale on the open market and could be easily configures into a space resort or manufacturing facility. What actual construction there would have to be done in space would be the addition of support struts and passageways to actually configure the modules into the desired shape. The first would be a space station that would be the construction site for the other configurations. The modules would have been outfitted with much of the interior shell before it had been launched. Only the few things that could not be done before launch would remain to be done in outfitting the module for its intended purpose. Each person will have to have about 4500 cubic feet (127.4 cubic meters) of total living space. The moon missions had about 2.2 cubic meters each. The bigger unit will be designed to house 16 people permanently. And the smaller unit will be designed for 8 people. To accommodate 16 people the interior space of the 150-foot unit will have to be more than 2040 cubic meters. The exterior walls of the cylinder will be 8.5 inches thick and will house water tanks and additional radiation shielding. The cylinder shell will be constructed of Aluminum Skin, one quarter of an inch thick, with a 1-inch layer of Demron plastic and a then there would be 6 inch square water channels covered by a half-inch layer of Demron plastic. The water channels will be connected in such a way to stop reverse flow but will allow unrestricted flow in one direction. No electrical wires will be attached to the shell. No gas lines will be attached to the shell. All Water and electrical and other utilities will be attached to inside walls. The habitat unit then would be divided into three floors. The outer floor, Deck Three, would be the environmental space where plants would be grown to replenish the oxygen and grow fresh vegetables for consumption by the crew. Also here would be the methane converters to transform waste back into usable products: Methane gas and ammonium nitrate fertilizer. The methane gas would be compressed to use as rocket fuel or for other purposes.Interior of module
Mid deck would be the living quarters and some work space for the up to 20 occupants. The upper deck would be used for storage and for workspace. Each of the living modules would be equipped with some sort of research and manufacturing facility. Radiation ProtectionWe propose to put the water necessary for use by the colonist inside the outer wall. Heat from the inside would keep the water liquid. Besides being the most convenient place to store the water. Even though the likelihood is small, the longer the vessel is in space, on the moon or on Mars, the higher is the likelihood of a breach. The water should be able to mark the spot for easier repair. Besides being the most convenient place to store the water. Such a wall would help shield against gamma and other radiation during the eruption of sunspots.
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