HUMANITY AND SPACE An Interactive Qualifying Project Report submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science by __________________, _____________________ Benjamin Ponder, Gregory Stuart Pettigrew Date: April 21st, 2003 Approved: ____________________________ Professor Mayer Humi, Advisor 1. Science 2. technology 3. Science-fiction 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover page ------------------------- 1 Table of Contents ------------------ 2 Abstract --------------------------- 3 Executive Summary ------------------ 4 Novel ------------------------------ 6 Preface ---------------------------- 7 Introduction ----------------------- 8 Chapter 1 ------------------------- 13 Chapter 2 ------------------------- 20 Chapter 3 ------------------------- 28 Chapter 4 ------------------------- 32 Chapter 5 ------------------------- 38 Chapter 6 ------------------------- 44 Chapter 7 ------------------------- 52 Chapter 8 ------------------------- 59 Chapter 9 ------------------------- 64 Chapter 10 ------------------------ 71 Chapter 11 ------------------------ 79 Chapter 12 ------------------------ 83 Chapter 13 ------------------------ 87 Chapter 14 ------------------------ 93 Chapter 15 ------------------------ 97 Chapter 16 ----------------------- 100 Chapter 17 ----------------------- 107 Chapter 18 ----------------------- 113 Chapter 19 ----------------------- 119 Chapter 20 ----------------------- 125 Chapter 21 ----------------------- 132 Chapter 22 ----------------------- 146 Chapter 23 ----------------------- 154 Chapter 24 ----------------------- 157 Chapter 25 ----------------------- 172 Chapter 26 ----------------------- 176 Chapter 27 ----------------------- 181 Chapter 28 ----------------------- 184 Chapter 29 ----------------------- 188 Postface ------------------------- 193 Epilogue ------------------------- 195 Appendices ----------------------- 196 Appendix A ----------------------- 197 Appendix B ----------------------- 212 Appendix C ----------------------- 215 Conclusion ----------------------- 229 Bibliography --------------------- 231 2 ABSTRACT This IQP examines technology currently under development or underused and its applications in space. Also examined is the impact of technologies that can only be developed in a microgravity environment. To showcase this technology, we have written a novel which attempts to show a compelling view of the future 50 years hence, describing the interplay between futuristic technology and human society. We have highlighted the creative element of the human spirit which always seeks new frontiers to explore. 3 Executive Summary In this IQP, the state of existing technology is examined. We have made specific conclusions drawn from how these technologies are being developed in the context of how these technologies will be affected by developments in space. Technologies included are personal computers, transportation, and food production. We have also looked into technologies that are on the brink of feasibiity or require a presence in Space to be fully developed. Technology does not exist in a vacuum, it is surrounded by people and their sea of emotions. Therefore, culture and other human elements have been explored. The social and emotional impact of these technologies are explored, and specific human reactions have been considered, including laws banning genome modification, philosophies developing around living and working in space, and how people may react to future disastrous events related to Space Exploration. To provide a venue for this information to be dispensed, to put this data together in a coherent way, we chose to write a novel. The novel we have written exists to describe the things researched and theorized, explore the merits for space exploration and particularly deep space exploration, as well as to expand the audience of the ideas within: A compelling view of the future often ushers in modifications in the society it addresses, to ensure the best and derail the worst of the society it describes. The novel has five main characters. Mike is Public Enemy Number One. While studying gene therapy, he developed a series of retroviruses that altered him in ways considered unnecessary and cosmetic by the world at large. The improvements he has given himself allow him to constantly evade detection, but as the story progresses, he finds someone is closer than any before... Julie was an accomplished gymnast and was working in the world's premiere medical facility when it mysteriously exploded. Since then, her robotic replacement arm has driven her away from all but her closest friends, and she fights her sister's drive to follow the dream they shared of living and working in space... Miranda is a beautiful and intelligent physicist who has not seen the rest of the group for five years. But they all rejoice in the cameraderie and the sheer magnitude of what they are trying to accomplish when she finally returns. As the mother figure of the group, Miranda fears that separating themselves from humanity may not be for the best... Jimbo is a down-to-Earth product of the Louisiana Bayou. Jimbo has not allowed his electronic eye or his continued career as a pilot to interfere with his love of nature and the seemingly primitive way of life still led at his home. He is torn, wanting to leave with his friends, but fearing that he will miss his home before they even leave... Tommy is a bright son of the midwestern United States. When in college, he and Miranda dated very seriously, but they parted ways when she went to Cambridge for Graduate School. Her sudden 4 return brings with it romantic feelings, but she does not seem to return them... 5 THE VOYAGE OF THE PORT STARBOARD INN a Science Fiction novel by Ben Ponder Technical writing assistance by Greg Pettigrew 6 PREFACE This novel is the culmination of almost two semesters’ worth of work. A team of six of us students assembled a project and formal paper regarding humanity and space, focusing on the technological advances which can be facilitated there, as well as some of the social and cultural changes that can be expected. The purpose of this portion of the project is to bring these technological, cultural, and social advances to life. As scientists, we have studied many exciting waves of new technology which are on the verge of breaking upon our society, such as nanotechnology, retroviral gene therapy, and carbon nanotubes, to name a few. These are all technologies that exist in their infancies today, but need research that can best be done in zero gravity. We also put major thought into what secondary technologies would come into existence, such as better means for life support, and continued health and survival in microgravity. As humans, we have measured what impact these advances would have on our own lives, and from there extrapolated what effect the technologies would have upon the lives of others, otuward to estimating the effect these technologies would have on the entire human species. New philosophies, ideas, and mindsets would be born from the womb which is outerspace, the second womb in which humanity has teh opportnity to be reborn. We examined historical paralleles, such as the colonization of America and the industrial revolution, and applied it to the future with the technologies mentioned before and some creative projection on our parts. Finally, as artists, we took all this information and used it to create a world. If we, as a species, take action on getting into space as outlined in the formal paper right now, then in fifty years this will be the future. We have projected history as faithfully as we can into the future, to provide an image of what we can get from space within our lifetimes. While there are a few devices and technologies added in purely for plot advancement (the faster than light drive, for example), everything else here is real and under development as you read this. With time, effort and the reincarnation of great entreprenurial and pioneer spirits, We can all live in this science fiction dream world. This dream world will be the real world to our children. The target audience for this story are teh scientists. By scientists I don’t just mean those of you with graduate degrees, I mena college students, high school students, any and all of you with dreams and aspirations of one day living among the stars. Together, we can all realize this science fiction into a past history. With that, we wish you are wonderful and enthralling read. We invite you to put yourselves into the character’s shoes, live in the universe we have concocted, try it on for size. If you like it, you can build one for yourself out of an education. Ben ponder 3/31/2003 7 INTRODUCTION A Brief History of the Future by Greg Pettigrew It all began with a simple idea. Jonas Kincaid wanted to make money. He built up his small electronics company and managed to grab some of the US Department of Defense building contracts, but he wanted more. For his next profits, Mr. Kincaid looked to the stars. All around the world, companies here and there were gearing up toward private ventures into space, so he attached himself to them, ensuring that his company and his parts would be the ones to bring mankind into orbit. Simultaneously, new developments in that technology sped up the process. Vectored Ion Thrust became the standard for travel in orbit. Cheap, tiny ions were launched from satellites and probes, with great speed, causing the vehicle to move