Equipment for autonomous growth
What equipment will settlers on Mars need to be really independent from Earth on the long term? This article wants to define the Equipment for Autonomous Growth to enable a colony to thrive, entirely based upon local resources.
The initial settlement on Mars will be built with technology from Earth, involving space travel, radio link, etc. Hopefully, this initial settlement is completed with the ability to sustain itself.
In case the support from Earth stops some day due to financial or political issues, the settlers are completely on their own. In order to survive, the settlement must be equipped with technology that allows life to continue indefinitely. A growing population requires the settlement to grow as well. The limited material from Earth will be used up quickly. Unlimited growth requires technology to exploit Martian resources to build everything required.
Contents
Mining equipment
The most critical technology is mining. It provides almost every material the growing colony needs: water, iron, silicon, etc.
Construction technique
A growing colony needs to build more and larger buildings. An initial set of machines, measuring devices, formwork etc. should be brought to Mars.
Energy
See page Energy.
Automation
There are many processes to maintain in an artificial habitat, requiring automation technology. Electronics, mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics are considered.
Computers
This item might be disputed, but computers are surely a great help for any other technology.
Internet
The access to Earth's internet is definitely not necessary for an autonomous colony, but it helps to exchange technological, scientific and cultural news, which might be beneficial for both Mars and Earth.
Biotechnology
Since sunlight is not as bright as on Earth, the construction of biotechnological factories can help to provide enough food for the settlers.
Synthetic materials
Almost any technology requires a large quantity of synthetic materials: plastics, oil, acids, etc., that is produced by chemical processes.
Reproductive Technology
Every machine and every gadget has a limited lifetime. It must be replaced periodically to keep the function alive. As a principle, the equipment brought to Mars must be constructed simple enough to allow a repair and duplication from local resources. The periodic repair and maintenance process must not consume more material, energy and time than the colony can afford. The usage of Lo-tech instead of hi-tech for vital systems is a possible solution. Recycling helps too.
Example: Repair of digging machines
Digging machines produce ore. The furnace transforms ore to iron. A steel plant makes steel out of the iron. And the steel must be forged to parts for digging machines. The circle is closed.
Example: Repair of solar panels
Solar panels provide electricity, which will be used to create more silicon for photo-voltaic cells.
Example: Repair of electronics
The most complex thing to replace is, perhaps, the computer. It needs high-tech processes and special substances to made all the electronical devices within a computer. There are two ways for coping with this challenge: Either abstain from any electronics on Mars, or find a way to produce simple electronics that can be made from local Martian resources.
