Difference between revisions of "Earth-supported colony"
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{{ColonyType}} | {{ColonyType}} | ||
| − | The '''Earth-supported colony''' is the | + | The '''Earth-supported colony''' is the simplest colony types. As part of a [[colonization strategy]] it may be used for further on-site studies and the construction of more advanced colonies on [[Mars]]. It can be either a [[manned one-way mission]] or a colony with regularly changed crews. Growth would be mainly through immigration. If the colony grows, one would expect it to move from an Earth supported semi autonomous status then to fully autonomous status. |
| − | + | *If the installation is merely a mining settlement without planned growth, then it's not a colony, but merely an outpost. In such a case no significant growth is expected, and the end of the exploited resources means the end of the installation. | |
| + | |||
==Requirements== | ==Requirements== | ||
To keep [[human|human beings]] alive the following basic supplies are necessary: | To keep [[human|human beings]] alive the following basic supplies are necessary: | ||
| − | * [[Air]] to | + | * [[Air]] to breathe at sufficient pressure |
| + | * [[Water]] to drink and to use for washing | ||
* [[Food]] to provide energy for the human metabolism | * [[Food]] to provide energy for the human metabolism | ||
* [[Heating]] of the artificial [[habitat]] to a temperature suitable for humans | * [[Heating]] of the artificial [[habitat]] to a temperature suitable for humans | ||
| − | + | ||
But there is more to keep human beings well and fit: | But there is more to keep human beings well and fit: | ||
* Facilities for daily [[physical exercise]] under the low Martian [[gravity]] | * Facilities for daily [[physical exercise]] under the low Martian [[gravity]] | ||
* Company as well as privacy | * Company as well as privacy | ||
* Culture, motivation, psychological attendance, reason to live | * Culture, motivation, psychological attendance, reason to live | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Comparison with other concepts== | ||
| + | Compared with an [[autonomous colony]] this concept has the following advantages: | ||
| + | * Fewer new technologies must be developed | ||
| + | * Smaller mass and volume of initial transportation | ||
| + | * Support can be adapted | ||
| + | * A smaller group of settlers is possible | ||
| + | |||
| + | and the following disadvantages: | ||
| + | * The more mass that must be shipped from [[Earth]] to maintain the colony, the higher the ongoing and long-term costs | ||
| + | * The colonists have fewer opportunities for their own advancement. They are subject to leadership from Earth | ||
| + | * Ends horribly if disasters (political, economic, or natural) on Earth cut off shipments to Mars | ||
| + | * Fails in a main goal of space colonization, creating a backup plan for the human species | ||
| − | + | An Earth supported colony may eventually become an autonomous one, as production capabilities grow and the use of In Situ resources grows as well. | |
==Support types== | ==Support types== | ||
| − | + | ||
===Energy and food support=== | ===Energy and food support=== | ||
| − | The colony receives regularly [[fuel]] and [[food]] from Earth. [[Greenhouse]]s are not necessary. [[Energy]] generation is needed mainly for heating. It can possibly be generated with [[nuclear power]]. | + | The colony receives regularly [[fuel]] and [[food]] from Earth. [[Greenhouse]]s are not necessary. [[Energy]] generation is needed mainly for heating. It can possibly be generated with [[nuclear power]] or solar power. |
| − | + | ||
===Energy support=== | ===Energy support=== | ||
| − | The colony receives regularly fuel from Earth. Greenhouses or [[biotechnology]] are necessary for local food production. The needed amount of energy is higher due to the fact that the energy efficiency factor of any food production is far below 1. With legacy greenhouse methods (artificially lit) the factor is about 0.001, which means the transportation of a | + | The colony receives regularly fuel from Earth. Greenhouses or [[biotechnology]] are necessary for local food production. The needed amount of energy is higher due to the fact that the energy efficiency factor of any food production is far below 1. With legacy greenhouse methods (artificially lit) the factor is about 0.001, which means the transportation of a thousand fold in energy from Earth to Mars in order to feed the colonists. This can be achieved with nuclear fuels. The high level of dependency creates a forcing function in regards to developing local sources of nuclear fuels. |
| − | + | ||
| − | === | + | ===Equipment support=== |
| − | If local energy resources are employed for local food production, the support from Earth may be reduced to cover | + | If local energy resources are employed for local food production, the support from Earth may be reduced to cover equipment that cannot be manufactured in situ, or resources that are not available in concentrations that can be extracted economically. |
| − | == | + | ==Storage== |
| − | * | + | *It would make sense for an Earth supported colony to stock enough goods to survive, in case of loss of contact with Earth, long enough to develop local sources. For example, a society using nuclear fuel from Earth should stockpile enough fuel for perhaps a decade's worth of power, enough time to develop local mines or asteroid sources of nuclear fuel. However, an alternative plan might be abandoning the colony and returning to Earth. The capability for this should be included in the colony plans. |
| − | * | + | *Food storage would also be required, at least enough to survive a long dust storm, or a missed synod. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| + | ===Energy and travel costs=== | ||
| + | Local production of goods is favored by the high cost of travel between Earth and Mars. However, if the cost was low, then the economics of local production would not be as good, and an explicit policy of local production might be required to avoid overdependence on Earth if one of the settlement's goals is autonomy. | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category: Settlement Plans]] |
| − | |||
| − | |||
Latest revision as of 07:41, 30 September 2022
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v · d · eColony Types | |||
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The Earth-supported colony is the simplest colony types. As part of a colonization strategy it may be used for further on-site studies and the construction of more advanced colonies on Mars. It can be either a manned one-way mission or a colony with regularly changed crews. Growth would be mainly through immigration. If the colony grows, one would expect it to move from an Earth supported semi autonomous status then to fully autonomous status.
- If the installation is merely a mining settlement without planned growth, then it's not a colony, but merely an outpost. In such a case no significant growth is expected, and the end of the exploited resources means the end of the installation.
Contents
Requirements
To keep human beings alive the following basic supplies are necessary:
- Air to breathe at sufficient pressure
- Water to drink and to use for washing
- Food to provide energy for the human metabolism
- Heating of the artificial habitat to a temperature suitable for humans
But there is more to keep human beings well and fit:
- Facilities for daily physical exercise under the low Martian gravity
- Company as well as privacy
- Culture, motivation, psychological attendance, reason to live
Comparison with other concepts
Compared with an autonomous colony this concept has the following advantages:
- Fewer new technologies must be developed
- Smaller mass and volume of initial transportation
- Support can be adapted
- A smaller group of settlers is possible
and the following disadvantages:
- The more mass that must be shipped from Earth to maintain the colony, the higher the ongoing and long-term costs
- The colonists have fewer opportunities for their own advancement. They are subject to leadership from Earth
- Ends horribly if disasters (political, economic, or natural) on Earth cut off shipments to Mars
- Fails in a main goal of space colonization, creating a backup plan for the human species
An Earth supported colony may eventually become an autonomous one, as production capabilities grow and the use of In Situ resources grows as well.
Support types
Energy and food support
The colony receives regularly fuel and food from Earth. Greenhouses are not necessary. Energy generation is needed mainly for heating. It can possibly be generated with nuclear power or solar power.
Energy support
The colony receives regularly fuel from Earth. Greenhouses or biotechnology are necessary for local food production. The needed amount of energy is higher due to the fact that the energy efficiency factor of any food production is far below 1. With legacy greenhouse methods (artificially lit) the factor is about 0.001, which means the transportation of a thousand fold in energy from Earth to Mars in order to feed the colonists. This can be achieved with nuclear fuels. The high level of dependency creates a forcing function in regards to developing local sources of nuclear fuels.
Equipment support
If local energy resources are employed for local food production, the support from Earth may be reduced to cover equipment that cannot be manufactured in situ, or resources that are not available in concentrations that can be extracted economically.
Storage
- It would make sense for an Earth supported colony to stock enough goods to survive, in case of loss of contact with Earth, long enough to develop local sources. For example, a society using nuclear fuel from Earth should stockpile enough fuel for perhaps a decade's worth of power, enough time to develop local mines or asteroid sources of nuclear fuel. However, an alternative plan might be abandoning the colony and returning to Earth. The capability for this should be included in the colony plans.
- Food storage would also be required, at least enough to survive a long dust storm, or a missed synod.
Energy and travel costs
Local production of goods is favored by the high cost of travel between Earth and Mars. However, if the cost was low, then the economics of local production would not be as good, and an explicit policy of local production might be required to avoid overdependence on Earth if one of the settlement's goals is autonomy.
