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Humanity and Space Design and Implementation of a Theoretical Martian Outpost

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Humanity and Space Design and Implementation of a Theoretical Martian Outpost Project Number: MH-1605 Humanity and Space Design and implementation of a theoretical Martian outpost An Interactive Qualifying Project submitted to the faculty of Worcester Polytechnic Institute In partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Degree of Bachelor Science By Kenneth Fong Andrew Kelly Owen McGrath Kenneth Quartuccio Matej Zampach Abstract Over the next century, humanity will be faced with the challenge of journeying to and inhabiting the solar system. This endeavor carries many complications not yet addressed such as shielding from radiation, generating power, obtaining water, creating oxygen, and cultivating food. Still, practical solutions can be implemented and missions accomplished utilizing futuristic technology. With resources transported from Earth or gathered from Space, a semi-permanent facility can realistically be established on Mars. 2 Contents 1 Executive Summary 1 2 Introduction 3 2.1 Kenneth Fong . .4 2.2 Andrew Kelly . .6 2.3 Owen McGrath . .7 2.4 Kenneth Quartuccio . .8 2.5 Matej Zampach . .9 3 Research 10 3.1 Current Space Policy . 11 3.1.1 US Space Policy . 11 3.1.2 Russian Space Policy . 12 3.1.3 Chinese Space Policy . 12 3.2 Propulsion Methods . 14 3.2.1 Launch Loops . 14 3.2.2 Solar Sails . 17 3.2.3 Ionic Propulsion . 19 3.2.4 Space Elevator . 20 i 3.2.5 Chemical Propulsion . 21 3.3 Colonization . 24 3.3.1 Farming . 24 3.3.2 Sustainable Habitats . 25 3.3.3 Sustainability . 27 3.3.4 Social Issues . 28 3.3.5 Terraforming . 29 3.3.6 Harvesting Water from Mars . 30 3.4 Realistic Plan for Mars . 32 3.4.1 Preparations . 32 3.4.2 Space Travel . 33 3.4.3 Assembling the Base . 34 3.4.4 Humans on Mars . 35 3.4.5 Food and Water . 36 3.4.6 Projects . 37 4 Application 39 4.1 Proposed Plan for Martian Outpost . 40 4.1.1 Astronauts for Outpost and Colony . 40 4.1.2 Spacecraft Propulsion . 42 4.1.3 Life Support . 42 4.1.4 Radiation Protection . 43 4.1.5 Location . 44 4.1.6 Water Production . 45 4.2 Candidate Selection . 47 ii 4.2.1 Engineering Qualifications and Applications . 47 4.2.2 Other Qualifications and Applications . 49 4.3 Meal Plan for Trip from Earth to Mars . 53 4.3.1 Nutritional Needs . 53 4.3.2 Options . 54 4.3.3 Expected Payload for Food . 56 4.3.4 Example Meal Plan for the Trip . 57 4.4 Long Term Food Production on Mars . 58 4.4.1 Initial Considerations . 58 4.4.2 Livestock on Mars . 59 4.4.3 Nutritional Comparison of Viable Livestock and Crops . 60 4.4.4 Meal Plan on Mars . 61 4.5 Space Allocation . 62 4.5.1 Overview . 62 4.5.2 Proposed Construction Projects . 62 4.6 Space Allocation for Colony Farming Area . 65 4.6.1 Overview . 65 4.6.2 Conventional Farming Requirements . 65 4.6.3 Hydroponic Farming Requirements . 66 4.6.4 Rooms and Basic Requirements . 67 4.6.5 Expected Dimensions for Farm . 68 4.7 Health of the Crew . 71 4.7.1 Sanitation . 71 4.7.2 Fitness . 72 4.7.3 Physiology . 77 iii 4.8 Artificial Intelligence . 79 4.8.1 Need for Intelligence . 79 4.8.2 Current AI and its role . 80 4.8.3 Barriers to Strong Artificial Intelligence . 80 4.9 Robots Required for Martian Outpost . 84 4.9.1 Level 1: Controller . 84 4.9.2 Level 2: Observer . 84 4.9.3 Level 3: Caretaker . 85 4.9.4 Level 4: Construction . 86 4.9.5 Level 5: Excavation . 90 4.10 Mars Base Plans . 91 4.10.1 Outpost Location . 91 4.10.2 Outpost Construction Preparation . 92 4.10.3 Base Construction . 94 4.10.4 Cave Exploration . 95 4.11 Radiation Protection . 97 4.11.1 Onboard During Trip . 97 4.11.2 Mars Surface Radiation Shielding . 99 4.12 Comet and Asteroid Collision on Mars . 101 4.12.1 Introduction . 101 4.12.2 Derivations . 101 4.12.3 Results . 104 4.12.4 Discussion . 106 4.13 Using an Asteroid as a Martian Moon . 107 4.13.1 Overview . 107 iv 4.13.2 Dynamo Effect on Mars . 108 4.13.3 Melting Acceleration of Mars' core . 108 4.14 Base Design . 110 4.14.1 Overview . 110 4.14.2 Location . 110 4.14.3 Materials . 111 4.14.4 Structural Calculations . 112 4.14.5 Emergency Procedure . 113 4.14.6 Bill of Materials . 114 4.14.7 Base Drawings . 114 4.14.8 Power Systems . 118 4.15 Hydroponic Farm Design . 126 4.15.1 Overview . 126 4.15.2 Human Requirements . 127 4.15.3 Design . 128 4.15.4 Lighting Requirements . 130 4.15.5 Heating Requirements . 131 4.15.6 Assembly and Material Requirements . 132 5 Conclusion 134 6 Appendices 136 6.1 Authorship . ..
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