Failure of the settlement - Revision history

Michel Lamontagne at 22:14, 13 November 2023

2023-11-13T22:14:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:14, 13 November 2023
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	==Destruction of life support==		==Destruction of life support==
	===[[Oxygen]]===		===[[Oxygen]] and CO2===
	~~In popular culture, oxygen is thought to come~~ from plants. However, if the plants ~~get sick~~, they ~~can~~ produce ~~less (~~or ~~no) oxygen~~. Dust storms have been know to block out 95% of the light, and last for weeks. In ~~these~~ cases, plants ~~will consume oxygen~~.		On Earth Free Oxygen comes from plants, bacteria and other life forms. However, if the plants die, they no longer produce oxygen or remove CO2, that will accumulate and eventually reach poisonous levels. Dust storms have been know to block out 95% of the light, and last for weeks. In such cases, plants may no longer be able tp play their part in a purely biological life support system. It is safer, for all but the largest colonies, to have backup systems to treat the CO2 and free the oxygen back into the settlement's atmosphere. Numerous chemical processes will reduce CO2 and produce oxygen for the base at a lower energy cost than plants.

	It is ~~far better~~, for all but the largest colonies, to ~~produce~~ oxygen ~~industrially~~. ~~With sufficient energy, numerous~~ chemical processes will produce oxygen for the base.

	===Temperature===		===Temperature===
	If [[heating]] systems fail, the [[temperature]] in on-surface buildings may drop rapidly and destroy equipment and plants. Humans may freeze to death.		If [[heating]] systems fail, the [[temperature]] in on-surface buildings may drop rapidly and destroy equipment and plants. Humans may freeze to death.

	Precaution: Underground parts of the settlement draw benefit from the high heat capacity of the surrounding rock, which keeps the temperature for a long time. The interior of the settlement rooms can be optimized to store large amounts of warmth. Big [[water]] tanks have a high heat capacity.		Precaution: Underground parts of the settlement draw benefit from the high heat capacity of the surrounding rock, which keeps the temperature for a long time. The interior of the settlement rooms can be optimized to store large amounts of warmth. Big [[water]] tanks have a high heat capacity. Effective thermal insulation can reduce heat loss to very low levels.

	===[[Water]]===		===[[Water]]===
	Early exploration missions will bring their own water.		Early exploration missions will bring their own water, if only for life support during the trip. However, water will be extracted locally, and the presence of water or ice is likely to be a primary condition in the selection of the base/settlement location.

	~~Water is common as permafrost~~, ~~even approaching~~ the equator. (A meteorite impact 35 degrees from the equator thru up chunks of ice.)<ref>https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a41819807/marsquake-reveals-meteor-strike/</ref><ref>https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/mars-asteroid-impact/</ref> Geothermal energy plants may produce huge amounts of water. ~~So with sufficient energy and effort~~, ~~it is likely that~~ water ~~can~~ be ~~found~~ locally~~. Water shortages might be caused by~~ water ~~leaking, freezing,~~ or ~~subliming if the habitat~~ is ~~exposed~~ to ~~vacuum.~~

	~~So having water requires planning (to make sure enough water is brought, or~~ the settlement ~~grows slower than water is 'mined'), and care of life support and maintenance to make sure it is not wasted or lost thru emergencies~~.

	~~Humans are 'aquatic apes'~~. A ~~swimming pool would~~ be ~~a luxury which would also provide an emergency source of~~ water.		Water is common as permafrost, even approaching the equator. (A meteorite impact 35 degrees from the equator threw up chunks of ice.)<ref>https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a41819807/marsquake-reveals-meteor-strike/</ref><ref>https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/mars-asteroid-impact/</ref> Geothermal energy plants may produce huge amounts of water. Water shortages might be caused by water leaking, freezing, or subliming if the habitat is exposed to vacuum.

	~~Note that~~ water is an excellent radiation shield, so water in excess of the habitats needs, might be mined and stored as ice (outside the habitat), or as liquid (near the walls) for this reason.		*Having water requires planning (to make sure enough water is brought, or the settlement grows slower than water is 'mined'), and care of life support and maintenance to make sure it is not wasted or lost thru emergencies.
			*Humans are 'aquatic apes'. A swimming pool would be a luxury which would also provide an emergency source of water.
			*Water is an excellent radiation shield, so water far in excess of the habitats needs, might be mined and stored as ice (outside the habitat), or as liquid (near the walls) for this reason.
			*Water is also the source of hydrogen for fuel and food production, so large quantities of water will be required for any settlement with in situ fuel or food production.

	==Contamination of [[air]] or [[food]]==		==Contamination of [[air]] or [[food]]==

RichardWSmith: /* Water */ Added more information. Impact was at 35 degrees.

2022-11-26T15:32:18Z

Water: Added more information. Impact was at 35 degrees.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:32, 26 November 2022
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	Early exploration missions will bring their own water.		Early exploration missions will bring their own water.

	Water is common as permafrost, even ~~close to~~ the equator. (A meteorite impact ~~near~~ the equator thru up chunks of ice.)<ref>https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a41819807/marsquake-reveals-meteor-strike/</ref><ref>https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/mars-asteroid-impact/</ref> Geothermal energy plants may produce huge amounts of water. So with sufficient energy and effort, it is likely that water can be found locally. Water shortages might be caused by water leaking, freezing, or subliming if the habitat is exposed to vacuum.		Water is common as permafrost, even approaching the equator. (A meteorite impact 35 degrees from the equator thru up chunks of ice.)<ref>https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a41819807/marsquake-reveals-meteor-strike/</ref><ref>https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/mars-asteroid-impact/</ref> Geothermal energy plants may produce huge amounts of water. So with sufficient energy and effort, it is likely that water can be found locally. Water shortages might be caused by water leaking, freezing, or subliming if the habitat is exposed to vacuum.

	So having water requires planning (to make sure enough water is brought, or the settlement grows slower than water is 'mined'), and care of life support and maintenance to make sure it is not wasted or lost thru emergencies.		So having water requires planning (to make sure enough water is brought, or the settlement grows slower than water is 'mined'), and care of life support and maintenance to make sure it is not wasted or lost thru emergencies.

RichardWSmith: Added a new category. added reference.

2022-11-26T15:31:05Z

Added a new category. added reference.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:31, 26 November 2022
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	==Social==		==Social==
	The settlement might also fail socially. If the settlers lose interest, or if their descendants decide to return to the Earth. If the cost of maintaining the settlement is too high and the settlers lose heart, the settlement will be destroyed, although not catastrophically. The end of immigration combined with a birth rate below the replacement rate of the population would end the settlement, possibly with a long drawn out agony, or with a resettlement program. This has happened in a number of '[[w:List_of_ghost_towns_by_country\|ghost towns]]' throughout the history of the Earth, and on every continent. Mining communities are particularly susceptible.		The settlement might also fail socially. If the settlers lose interest, or if their descendants decide to return to the Earth. If the cost of maintaining the settlement is too high and the settlers lose heart, the settlement will be destroyed, although not catastrophically. The end of immigration combined with a birth rate below the replacement rate of the population would end the settlement, possibly with a long drawn out agony, or with a resettlement program. This has happened in a number of '[[w:List_of_ghost_towns_by_country\|ghost towns]]' throughout the history of the Earth, and on every continent. Mining communities are particularly susceptible.

			==References==
	[[Category:Health and Safety]]		[[Category:Health and Safety]]

RichardWSmith: /* Water */ Added references.

2022-11-26T15:30:02Z

Water: Added references.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:30, 26 November 2022
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	Early exploration missions will bring their own water.		Early exploration missions will bring their own water.

	Water is common as permafrost, even close to the equator. (A meteorite impact near the equator thru up chunks of ice.) Geothermal energy plants may produce huge amounts of water. So with sufficient energy and effort, it is likely that water can be found locally. Water shortages might be caused by water leaking, freezing, or subliming if the habitat is exposed to vacuum.		Water is common as permafrost, even close to the equator. (A meteorite impact near the equator thru up chunks of ice.)<ref>https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a41819807/marsquake-reveals-meteor-strike/</ref><ref>https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/mars-asteroid-impact/</ref> Geothermal energy plants may produce huge amounts of water. So with sufficient energy and effort, it is likely that water can be found locally. Water shortages might be caused by water leaking, freezing, or subliming if the habitat is exposed to vacuum.

	So having water requires planning (to make sure enough water is brought, or the settlement grows slower than water is 'mined'), and care of life support and maintenance to make sure it is not wasted or lost thru emergencies.		So having water requires planning (to make sure enough water is brought, or the settlement grows slower than water is 'mined'), and care of life support and maintenance to make sure it is not wasted or lost thru emergencies.

RichardWSmith: As per Michael's suggestion, put in that a settlement failure could mean the evacuation as well as death.

2022-11-25T14:58:08Z

As per Michael's suggestion, put in that a settlement failure could mean the evacuation as well as death.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 25 November 2022
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	A complete '''failure of the settlement''' would mean the death of all settlers. Possible causes can be [[human failure]], [[fail-safe\|technical failure]] and acts of nature beyond control. It could take decades or centuries before a subsequent colonization attempt is started. This article wants to collect situations, incidents, precautions and mitigations.		A complete '''failure of the settlement''' would mean the evacuation or death of all settlers. Possible causes can be [[human failure]], [[fail-safe\|technical failure]] and acts of nature beyond control. It could take decades or centuries before a subsequent colonization attempt is started. This article wants to collect situations, incidents, precautions and mitigations.

	==Destruction of life support==		==Destruction of life support==

RichardWSmith: /* Water */ Radiation shield.

2022-11-23T17:53:22Z

Water: Radiation shield.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 23 November 2022
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	Humans are 'aquatic apes'. A swimming pool would be a luxury which would also provide an emergency source of water.		Humans are 'aquatic apes'. A swimming pool would be a luxury which would also provide an emergency source of water.

			Note that water is an excellent radiation shield, so water in excess of the habitats needs, might be mined and stored as ice (outside the habitat), or as liquid (near the walls) for this reason.

	==Contamination of [[air]] or [[food]]==		==Contamination of [[air]] or [[food]]==

RichardWSmith: /* Water */ subbed in some basic information.

2022-11-23T17:51:47Z

Water: subbed in some basic information.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:51, 23 November 2022
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	===[[Water]]===		===[[Water]]===
			Early exploration missions will bring their own water.

			Water is common as permafrost, even close to the equator. (A meteorite impact near the equator thru up chunks of ice.) Geothermal energy plants may produce huge amounts of water. So with sufficient energy and effort, it is likely that water can be found locally. Water shortages might be caused by water leaking, freezing, or subliming if the habitat is exposed to vacuum.

			So having water requires planning (to make sure enough water is brought, or the settlement grows slower than water is 'mined'), and care of life support and maintenance to make sure it is not wasted or lost thru emergencies.

			Humans are 'aquatic apes'. A swimming pool would be a luxury which would also provide an emergency source of water.

	==Contamination of [[air]] or [[food]]==		==Contamination of [[air]] or [[food]]==

RichardWSmith: /* Oxygen */ Oxygen can be produced chemically.

2022-11-23T17:43:26Z

Oxygen: Oxygen can be produced chemically.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 23 November 2022
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	==Destruction of life support==		==Destruction of life support==
	===[[Oxygen]]===		===[[Oxygen]]===
			In popular culture, oxygen is thought to come from plants. However, if the plants get sick, they can produce less (or no) oxygen. Dust storms have been know to block out 95% of the light, and last for weeks. In these cases, plants will consume oxygen.

			It is far better, for all but the largest colonies, to produce oxygen industrially. With sufficient energy, numerous chemical processes will produce oxygen for the base.

	===Temperature===		===Temperature===

Michel Lamontagne: /* Biological */

2019-07-25T17:07:07Z

Biological

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 25 July 2019
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	==Biological==		==Biological==
	The human metabolism ~~need~~ a great variety of substances. The full complexity of all interactions is not fully understood. If there is a shortage or an excess of some ~~rather unknown substances~~, the [[health]] might be seriously affected. In worst case the ability to work and maintain the vital parts of the colony falls below a required minimum.		The human metabolism needs a great variety of substances. The full complexity of all interactions is not fully understood. If there is a shortage or an excess of some unexpected, the [[health]] might be seriously affected. In worst case the ability to work and maintain the vital parts of the colony falls below a required minimum.
	Such substances may possibly produced by some sort of [[germs]] that are omnipresent on Earth, but are not in the Martian colony.		Such substances may possibly produced by some sort of [[germs]] that are omnipresent on Earth, but are not in the Martian colony.

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	Mitigation: A garden with soil is a living ground for many [[microbes]] and germs.		Mitigation: A garden with soil is a living ground for many [[microbes]] and germs.

	== Social ==		==Social==
	The settlement might also fail socially. If the settlers lose interest, or if their descendants decide to return to the Earth. If the cost of maintaining the settlement is too high and the settlers lose heart, the settlement will be destroyed, although not catastrophically. The end of immigration combined with a birth rate below the replacement rate of the population would end the settlement, possibly with a long drawn out agony, or with a resettlement program. This has happened in a number of '[[w:List_of_ghost_towns_by_country\|ghost towns]]' throughout the history of the Earth, and on every continent. Mining communities are particularly susceptible.		The settlement might also fail socially. If the settlers lose interest, or if their descendants decide to return to the Earth. If the cost of maintaining the settlement is too high and the settlers lose heart, the settlement will be destroyed, although not catastrophically. The end of immigration combined with a birth rate below the replacement rate of the population would end the settlement, possibly with a long drawn out agony, or with a resettlement program. This has happened in a number of '[[w:List_of_ghost_towns_by_country\|ghost towns]]' throughout the history of the Earth, and on every continent. Mining communities are particularly susceptible.
	[[Category:Health and Safety]]		[[Category:Health and Safety]]

Michel Lamontagne at 01:11, 3 June 2019

2019-06-03T01:11:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:11, 3 June 2019
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	A complete '''failure of the settlement''' would mean the death of all settlers. Possible causes can be [[human failure]], [[fail-safe\|technical failure]] and acts of nature beyond control. It could take decades or centuries before a subsequent colonization attempt is started. This article wants to collect situations, incidents, precautions and mitigations.		A complete '''failure of the settlement''' would mean the death of all settlers. Possible causes can be [[human failure]], [[fail-safe\|technical failure]] and acts of nature beyond control. It could take decades or centuries before a subsequent colonization attempt is started. This article wants to collect situations, incidents, precautions and mitigations.

	== Destruction of life support ==		==Destruction of life support==
	===[[Oxygen]]===		===[[Oxygen]]===

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	===[[Water]]===		===[[Water]]===

	== Contamination of [[air]] or [[food]] ==		==Contamination of [[air]] or [[food]]==
	... with radioactive, chemical or bacteriological substances		... with radioactive, chemical or bacteriological substances
	* Risk: Intoxication, injury
	* Precaution: If dangerous substances are not produced, they can not pose a threat. If such substances are unavoidable, they should be produced, used and stored in a separated part of the colony, where no other vital system can be affected in case of an incident.

	~~== Destruction or contamination of [[greenhouse]]s ==~~		*Risk: Intoxication, injury
	* ~~Severity~~: ~~Vital.~~		*Precaution: If dangerous substances are not produced, they can not pose a threat. If such substances are unavoidable, they should be produced, used and stored in a separated part of the colony, where no other vital system can be affected in case of an incident.
	* ~~Risk~~: ~~Starvation~~ and ~~suffocation~~ of the ~~settlers.~~
	* Mitigation: Redundancy. Separation of ~~zones~~.

	== ~~Disconnection~~ or ~~destruction~~ of [[~~energy~~]] ~~network~~ ==		==Destruction or contamination of [[greenhouse]]s==
	* Severity: Vital.
	* Risk: If the energy network is poorly designed, the energy supply for the colony can break down completely by a defect in any of the ''single points of failure''.
	* Mitigation: Decentralization of the network. Make sure that any remaining part of the network continues to function locally. This concept involves a structural redundancy of all vital parts and sub-parts.

	~~== Disconnection or destruction of [[internet\|telecommunication]] network ==~~		*Severity: Vital.
	* Severity: ~~Non-vital~~.		*Risk: Starvation and suffocation of the settlers.
	* Risk: ~~Supervision of remote parts~~ of the ~~colony may gets lost~~.		*Mitigation: Redundancy. Separation of zones.
	* Mitigation: Redundancy.

	== ~~Explosion, causing drop in air pressure~~ ==		==Disconnection or destruction of [[energy]] network==
	* Severity: Vital.
	* Risk: Suffocation of the settlers. Dissolution of the greenhouse plants.
	* Mitigation: Several zones of living space, separated by bulkheads.

	== Destruction of transportation means ==		*Severity: Vital.
			*Risk: If the energy network is poorly designed, the energy supply for the colony can break down completely by a defect in any of the ''single points of failure''.
			*Mitigation: Decentralization of the network. Make sure that any remaining part of the network continues to function locally. This concept involves a structural redundancy of all vital parts and sub-parts.

			==Disconnection or destruction of [[internet\|telecommunication]] network==

			*Severity: Non-vital.
			*Risk: Supervision of remote parts of the colony may gets lost.
			*Mitigation: Redundancy.

			==Explosion, causing drop in air pressure==

			*Severity: Vital.
			*Risk: Suffocation of the settlers. Dissolution of the greenhouse plants.
			*Mitigation: Several zones of living space, separated by bulkheads.

			==Destruction of transportation means==
	... that are needed to reach peripheral sites of the colony		... that are needed to reach peripheral sites of the colony
	* Severity: Non-vital.
	* Risk: Growing of the colony is interrupted.
	* Mitigation: Keep all vital stuff in a [[Recycling]] loop.

	== Destruction of [[equipment]] that is needed for maintenance of vital systems ==		*Severity: Non-vital.
			*Risk: Growing of the colony is interrupted.
			*Mitigation: Keep all vital stuff in a [[Recycling]] loop.

			==Destruction of [[equipment]] that is needed for maintenance of vital systems==

	==Biological==		==Biological==
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	Mitigation: A garden with soil is a living ground for many [[microbes]] and germs.		Mitigation: A garden with soil is a living ground for many [[microbes]] and germs.

			== Social ==
			The settlement might also fail socially. If the settlers lose interest, or if their descendants decide to return to the Earth. If the cost of maintaining the settlement is too high and the settlers lose heart, the settlement will be destroyed, although not catastrophically. The end of immigration combined with a birth rate below the replacement rate of the population would end the settlement, possibly with a long drawn out agony, or with a resettlement program. This has happened in a number of '[[w:List_of_ghost_towns_by_country\|ghost towns]]' throughout the history of the Earth, and on every continent. Mining communities are particularly susceptible.
	[[Category:Health and Safety]]		[[Category:Health and Safety]]