A Mars Colonization Strategy

 

Count me as a skeptic of Elon Musk's plans to colonize Mars. However, his Starship could be used as part of a system that I will present here. The proposed system will consist of several elements. These elements could be lifted into space on an economical basis by Musk's Starship. The Starship will be best used for such projects, as it is not suitable for long term space habitation. The Starship could be used for lifting large amounts of cargo from Earth for a reasonable cost. That is its most advantageous use.

For getting to Mars, an Aldrin Cycler could be employed to transit the distance. The cycler system will consist of two parts. One part will transit between Earth and Mars, and the other part will make the return transit. Since the Delta-V budget for accessing the cyclers will be large, the Starship could be used for the transit between the respective planets and their respective cyclers.

 

The cyclers will be able to hold massive amounts of cargo and people. Consequently, it must be very large so as to be able to handle this function. The Starships could be employed to lift all the components necessary for its construction. Since these cyclers will be very massive, there will need to be a very strong propulsive kick to get them into proper position in their cycler orbits. How to do this?

 

Once the cyclers are constructed, I suggest an Orion nuclear propulsion tug that will push the cyclers into their appropriate orbits between the respective planets. The Orion will have the advantage of giving large mass the necessary Delta-V in order to perform their tasks.

 

There is little doubt that the Orion concept can work. It isn't new, as the ideas have been tested with conventional explosives. The last testing will have to take place in space. Once all the requirements are met, and the technology has been developed, the Orion can do the job. Once in place, the cyclers will need only small amounts of fuel for course corrections, and can serve for many years.

At the Mars end, JP Aerospace's technology could come into play. JP Aerospace is developing an Airship to Orbit concept. Such a concept would be much easier and more elegant on Mars. The Delta-V to Orbit for the Airship on Mars would be much reduced, and there's little doubt that it could be feasible on Mars. His ships could land on top of Olympus Mons. Olympus Mons could be jumping off spot to transit to any place on the Martian surface, while using his Airships.

 

Large amounts of Cargo and people could be transited in this manner, and that would be all of the transportation needed. The rest of the tech needed could be transited via a Starship to Cyclers system. Thus, all of the machines and people could be tranported this way, and the Mars colony could beome a reality.

 

What about the long transit times? The cyclers could be optimized for that. The Orion propulsion system could provide the necessary thrust to get large objects into position. A conventional fuel system would be too cumbersome. The use of atomic bombs as propulsion would yield ISP's of nearly a million. Therefore, the Orion propulsion method could simplify the logistics of moving large stations into an Aldrin Cycler orbit between the planets.

 

The cyclers themselves could be rotated, which could give artifical gravity to its traveler guests. It could be shielded from cosmic radiation so that the travelers wouldn't be harmed during their long transit times. They will arrive at Mars in optimal physical condition.

Of course, Mars could be configured to be safe for human habitation as well. What will be needed is a transport system to move the necessary mass into place. The machines could do the rest.

 

Who would do this? Elon Musk? He wants to use Starships, but those are only a small part of a viable system. His current plan is too risky. It is incomplete. It is not likely that simply economy of scale can still achieve everything that needs to be done.

 

But it could be a good start.

 

Asking LEO AI about the space station as Aldrin cycler:

 

Could you produce a graphic of a large space station which rotates in order to give artificial gravity to its inhabitants?

 

 

LEO's Answer: 

I apologize, but as an AI language model, I do not have the capability to generate or produce images. My primary function is to process and respond to text-based inputs. If you would like to create a graphic of a rotating space station that provides artificial gravity, I would suggest using a graphic design tool or software, or commissioning an artist to create the image for you.

 

However, I can provide a textual description of what such a rotating space station might look like:

 

The space station would be a large, cylindrical structure, spinning around a central axis to generate artificial gravity through centrifugal force. The cylinder would be large enough to accommodate living quarters, research facilities, and other necessary infrastructure for the inhabitants.

 

The exterior of the station would likely be made of a durable, lightweight material, such as aluminum or composite materials, to minimize the weight and maximize the efficiency of the rotation. The interior of the cylinder would be divided into different sections, with living quarters, recreational areas, and research labs arranged around the circumference.

 

The rotation of the station would create a gravitational force that would be felt by the inhabitants, simulating the effects of gravity on Earth. This would allow the inhabitants to live and work in a more Earth-like environment, reducing the negative health effects associated with long-term exposure to microgravity.

 

The station might also feature windows or viewports along the outer walls, allowing the inhabitants to observe the Earth, the Moon, and other celestial bodies as the station rotates. This could provide a unique and awe-inspiring perspective on the universe.

 

Overall, the rotating space station would be a remarkable engineering feat, providing a sustainable and comfortable living environment for its inhabitants in the vastness of space.

 

Never mind, this will do!