Humanity and Space
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Humanity and Space A Proposal for the Creation & Development of a Self-Sustained Lunar Colony An Interactive Qualifying Project Submitted to the Faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science Submitted by: Flah Ilyas Mykalin Jones Dan Pelgrift Weston Schlack Submitted to: Professor Mayer Humi Submitted on: August 17th, 2015 Abstract Detailed in this proposal is a virtually self-sufficient lunar colony. This paper addresses the design, maintenance, functions, and benefits it would bring to society. Construction and development of the colony are laid out over three distinct phases and the challenges of each phase are discussed. It is the belief of the authors that expansion into the solar system is necessary for the continued survival of humanity, and a lunar colony is the first major step in this expansion. 1 Executive Summary On July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the Moon. Eleven others have since tread upon its surface, with the last mission turning back to the earth on December 15th, 1972. After a hiatus over four decades, it is time for humanity to return. Despite appearing barren and desolate, our nearest neighbor has much to offer to humanity. To make proper use of these gifts however, a permanent human foothold must be established on the lunar surface. With this goal in mind, a plan has been outlined in this document for a lunar settlement spanning three distinct phases: Lunar Outpost, Lunar Station, and Lunar Colony, each with their own sets of goals and challenges that must be overcome if we are to use the moon to its fullest potential. The first phase consists of a small outpost that will house six astronauts. The outpost will be an inflatable structure located near the Moon’s south pole, on the edge of the Shackleton crater. Solar panels backed up by a nuclear reactor will provide power for the outpost. The main goals of Phase 1 are to establish a presence on the Moon and conduct research that will ease the transition into later phases. Phase 1 astronauts will also conduct surveys to determine the sites for future expansion, and construction will begin on infrastructure for Phase 2. Preparation for Phase 1 will begin two years before the arrival of the crew, and the phase will carry on for another two years after the crew’s arrival. Phase 2 comprises of the expansion of existing infrastructure, and construction of additional facilities. The polar settlement will be expanded and, more significantly, a permanent base will be established at the equator to accommodate for a crew which will number 300. This equatorial outpost will be built in a pit in Mare Tranquillitatis. In addition, small-scale mining will begin to obtain materials for in-situ resource utilization. These materials will undergo processing 2 and manufacturing to fabricate various components. The additional infrastructure will include a telescope constructed on the far side in order to monitor Near Earth Objects, and a maglev rail system which will provide efficient transportation between the polar and equatorial bases. A space elevator will also be built to facilitate the inexpensive transfer of cargo between LEO (Lower Earth Orbit) and the lunar surface, and a launch pad will be constructed at the equatorial base to provide a platform for space travel to and from the station. Phase 1 research will be used to build large- scale food growth facilities. The existing power systems will be expanded and research on additional systems begun. Phase 2 will last approximately ten years. Phase 3 will mainly be focused on expansion of the equatorial settlement, as well as the development of a permanent polar settlement located in a lava tube or excavated tunnel connected to the Shackleton crater. Lunar population and productivity will also be drastically increased. Lunar colonists will be able to live solely off of locally produced food, and will be able to manufacture virtually any basic item they need using local materials. By the end of this phase, the lunar base will transition from a purely self-sustaining goal, to one of further assistance in human exploration and spaceflight throughout the solar system. Rocket production will begin, facilities will expand, and a true lunar spaceport will come to fruition. Phase 3 has no well-defined end date, as it encompasses all future growth of the settlements across the lunar surface, but one of its major milestones will be to house 10,000 people by the end of ten years. A lunar colony offers extensive benefits to humanity. By colonizing the Moon, humanity will develop technology and gain experience that will prove essential in the colonization of other planets and improve technology on Earth. Useful metals are abundant in the lunar soil, and resources such as Helium-3 and lunar solar power have the potential to sustain the growing energy needs of the Earth. Furthermore, technologies developed to support the lunar colony will also 3 prove useful on Earth. The lunar spaceport will reduce the cost of visiting other planets and facilitate their colonization. Due to its many benefits to civilization on Earth as well as interplanetary colonization, a lunar colony is the logical first step in humanity’s expansion into the solar system. 4 Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................... 5 Table of Figures ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 10 Phase 1: Lunar Outpost ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Goals: .................................................................................................................................................................. 11 Location: ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 Structure: ........................................................................................................................................................... 12 Construction: .................................................................................................................................................... 13 Life Support: .................................................................................................................................................... 14 Power: ................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Crew Composition: ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Surface Transportation: ................................................................................................................................. 20 Backup Systems & Contingency Plans: ................................................................................................... 23 Schedule: ........................................................................................................................................................... 24 Flight Schedule: ............................................................................................................................................... 26 Costs: .................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Phase 2: Lunar Station ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Goals: .................................................................................................................................................................. 28 Equatorial Settlement: ................................................................................................................................... 29 Population & Facility Expansion: .............................................................................................................. 31 5 ISRU: .................................................................................................................................................................. 31 Lunar Mining: .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Lunar Materials Processing & Production:.............................................................................................. 34 Lunar Space Elevator: ...................................................................................................................................