Foundation of an Autonomous Colony

2008-06-16T19:45:40Z

Xerxes:

The old bamboo is so gay.

What is an autonomous colony? The main attribute is [[independence from Earth]]. Once the colony is set up, it provides a [[habitat]] for settlers on the long run, hopefully forever.
The second attribute is a planned and indefinitely stable colony that can thrive from [[local resources]]. Unlike a [[mission with planned death]] the settlers in an autonomous colony have a future for themselves and for their Mars-born [[children]].

==Technological issues==

a [[settlement]] is built may help to make [[Mars]] safe for the long term.

The [[Transport from Earth to Mars|transport of colonists from Earth to Mars]] is a very complicated part of the plan. There are many threats inherent to space travel: [[Solar Radiation|Solar]] & [[Cosmic Radiation|Cosmic]] Radiation, [[Meteorites]], Physical & Mental Illness, etc. Plans will need to be made to deal with every possible problem.
La la la la la la la a
Since people can not live in the natural [[environmental conditions|environment]] a basic artificial [[habitat]] with [[house]]s, supplies and equipment for a long term stay would be deposited on Mars' surface. The [[equipment for autonomous growth|equipment must be technologically sufficient]] to allow the colonists to grow their own [[food]], build new houses, etc.

There are many uncertainties about the impact of the Martian environment. The equipment would be tested on [[Earth]] thoroughly, butendlessly with the amount of energy they produce, an autonomous colony is not feasible.

==Organizational Issues==

The preparation cost for a mission like this is tremendous. A [[financial effort estimation]] helps to get an overview.

Within a small group of colonists, a daily council of all members may be sufficient to address the needs of governance, much in the tradition of the New England town hall meetings. In a growing community some kind of representative [[democracy]] may become necessary.

As the number of members in a martian [[population]] grows, so will the number of deaths. It will become necessary to conduct [[funeral]]s.

==Medical Issues==

===Quarantine===
Before heading for Mars any crew is [[quarantine|quarantined]] to ensure they do not suffer from infectious diseases. As a result, the martian colony should be more or less free from pathogenic [[microbes|germs]], which saves medical effort. However, for children born on Mars an even more effective [[vaccination|vaccination program]] will be necessary to stimulate the development of Mars-born [[immune system]]s.

===Inbreeding===
The size of the human population must not be too small due to the risk of [[inbreeding depression]].

===Cancer===
Increased exposure to [[radiation]] may increase the incidence of cancer. Colonists will need shielding from radiation during [[transport from Earth to Mars]] and on Mars' surface, due to the thin [[atmosphere]] and lack of a planetary [[magnetosphere]].

==Open Issues==
*Can there be enough energy generated, necessary for infinite maintenance?
*What is the public attitude to such a foundation?

{{SettlementIndex}}

{{Featured_red_ring}}

[[Category:Concepts]]
[[Category:Manned Missions]]
[[Category:Settlements]]

Foundation of an Autonomous Colony

2008-06-16T19:42:32Z

Xerxes:

The old bamboo is so gay.

What is an autonomous colony? The main attribute is [[independence from Earth]]. Once the colony is set up, it provides a [[habitat]] for settlers on the long run, hopefully forever.
The second attribute is a planned and indefinitely stable colony that can thrive from [[local resources]]. Unlike a [[mission with planned death]] the settlers in an autonomous colony have a future for themselves and for their Mars-born [[children]].

==Technological issues==

[[Bringing down Phobos]] before a [[settlement]] is built may help to make [[Mars]] safe for the long term.

The [[Transport from Earth to Mars|transport of colonists from Earth to Mars]] is a very complicated part of the plan. There are many threats inherent to space travel: [[Solar Radiation|Solar]] & [[Cosmic Radiation|Cosmic]] Radiation, [[Meteorites]], Physical & Mental Illness, etc. Plans will need to be made to deal with every possible problem.
La la la la la la la a
Since people can not live in the natural [[environmental conditions|environment]] a basic artificial [[habitat]] with [[house]]s, supplies and equipment for a long term stay would be deposited on Mars' surface. The [[equipment for autonomous growth|equipment must be technologically sufficient]] to allow the colonists to grow their own [[food]], build new houses, etc.

There are many uncertainties about the impact of the Martian environment. The equipment would be tested on [[Earth]] thoroughly, but the influence of the Martian environment cannot be understood completely on Earth. The safest way is an [[unmanned setup of a whole settlement]] by an automated and remote controlled machinery.

[[Energy]] is the most critical resource. It is needed for lighting and heating of [[greenhouse]]s, for [[metallurgy]] and production of machines. [[The critical path]] is the generation of enough energy for the production of spare parts for the energy generating systems and greenhouses. In other words: If the energy generating systems and greenhouses can not be maintained endlessly with the amount of energy they produce, an autonomous colony is not feasible.

==Organizational Issues==

The preparation cost for a mission like this is tremendous. A [[financial effort estimation]] helps to get an overview.

Within a small group of colonists, a daily council of all members may be sufficient to address the needs of governance, much in the tradition of the New England town hall meetings. In a growing community some kind of representative [[democracy]] may become necessary.

As the number of members in a martian [[population]] grows, so will the number of deaths. It will become necessary to conduct [[funeral]]s.

==Medical Issues==

===Quarantine===
Before heading for Mars any crew is [[quarantine|quarantined]] to ensure they do not suffer from infectious diseases. As a result, the martian colony should be more or less free from pathogenic [[microbes|germs]], which saves medical effort. However, for children born on Mars an even more effective [[vaccination|vaccination program]] will be necessary to stimulate the development of Mars-born [[immune system]]s.

===Inbreeding===
The size of the human population must not be too small due to the risk of [[inbreeding depression]].

===Cancer===
Increased exposure to [[radiation]] may increase the incidence of cancer. Colonists will need shielding from radiation during [[transport from Earth to Mars]] and on Mars' surface, due to the thin [[atmosphere]] and lack of a planetary [[magnetosphere]].

==Open Issues==
*Can there be enough energy generated, necessary for infinite maintenance?
*What is the public attitude to such a foundation?

{{SettlementIndex}}

{{Featured_red_ring}}

[[Category:Concepts]]
[[Category:Manned Missions]]
[[Category:Settlements]]

Marspedia - User contributions [en]

Foundation of an Autonomous Colony

Foundation of an Autonomous Colony