Difference between revisions of "Earth-supported colony"

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{{ColonyType}}
 
{{ColonyType}}
 
The '''Earth-supported colony''' is the most simple among all 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 crew.
 
The '''Earth-supported colony''' is the most simple among all 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 crew.
 
+
 
==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 breath
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* [[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
 
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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
 
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==Comparison with other concepts==
 
==Comparison with other concepts==
 
Compared with an [[autonomous colony]] this concept has the following advantages:
 
Compared with an [[autonomous colony]] this concept has the following advantages:
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* Support can be adapted
 
* Support can be adapted
 
* A smaller group of settlers is possible
 
* A smaller group of settlers is possible
 
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and the following disadvantages:
 
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 more mass that must be shipped from [[Earth]] to maintain the colony, the higher the ongoing and long-term costs
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* Ends horribly if disasters (political, economic, or natural) on Earth cut off shipments to Mars
 
* 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
 
* Fails in a main goal of space colonization, creating a backup plan for the human species
 
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==Support types==
 
==Support types==
 
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===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]].
 
+
 
===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 thousandfold in energy from Earth to Mars in order to feed the colonists.
+
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.
 
+
 
===Partial energy support===
 
===Partial energy support===
 
If local energy resources are employed for local food production, the support from Earth may be reduced to cover heating and electric equipment.
 
If local energy resources are employed for local food production, the support from Earth may be reduced to cover heating and electric equipment.
 
+
 
==Open Issues==
 
==Open Issues==
 
* What kind of fuel can be brought from Earth to Mars with the highest energy density? Also, the mass, volume and maintainability of the power plant must be taken into consideration to answer this question.
 
* What kind of fuel can be brought from Earth to Mars with the highest energy density? Also, the mass, volume and maintainability of the power plant must be taken into consideration to answer this question.
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* What are the long term costs for each support type?
 
* What are the long term costs for each support type?
 
* What is known about the efficiency factor of some food production methods?
 
* What is known about the efficiency factor of some food production methods?
 
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[[Category: Concepts]]
 
[[Category: Concepts]]
 
[[Category: Manned Missions]]
 
[[Category: Manned Missions]]
 
[[Category: Settlements]]
 
[[Category: Settlements]]

Revision as of 22:13, 5 November 2013

v · d · eColony Types

earth-supported

semi-autonomous

autonomous


The Earth-supported colony is the most simple among all 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 crew.

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

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.

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.

Partial energy support

If local energy resources are employed for local food production, the support from Earth may be reduced to cover heating and electric equipment.

Open Issues

  • What kind of fuel can be brought from Earth to Mars with the highest energy density? Also, the mass, volume and maintainability of the power plant must be taken into consideration to answer this question.
  • What are the initial costs for each support type?
  • What are the long term costs for each support type?
  • What is known about the efficiency factor of some food production methods?