Author Topic: Colonization of Mars, through the base of "Asteroid industry" in its orbit.  (Read 3119 times)

Offline Nicholas777

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  Mars colonization scenario, through the establishment on the Martian orbit base for future space industry for the extraction of resources in the main asteroid belt. In this scenario, the base on a satellite of Mars, at first, to be built as a reference point for the development of the asteroid, the raw materials, the industrial system in the future. But it must be based on the budget money. The whole program has to be a partnership project of public space administrations and private corporations. The principle of the progressive development of production "In the place of the available resources", using additive technologies will significantly reduce costs. After the start of the development of asteroid resources base on the moon of Mars, should go to private funding.
 After creating the orbital base, manned base on the Martian surface should be built. Which first must be scientific. But as the proliferation of asteroid industrial system and about the Martian industrial groups, and therefore increase the number of human attendants. Base on the surface of the planet, should assume the function of a habitable base settlement. In which, will be relatively comfortable conditions for the life of human crews, compared with the orbital station. Martian manned base, can serve as a resting place, a place of remote work via electronic communication robots or "Avatars", and place the cultivation of food. "Base - shift camp" on the Martian surface, will increase the duration of the watches, and reduce the cost of flights between the Earth and Mars, it would be beneficial for investors.
As further growth of space industry. Mars base would be a reference point for future settlement and assimilation of the planet. Growth which would lead to its full colonization.
 This approach to Mars colonization, gives an economically reasonable goal for a human presence on the surface of Mars. It makes the colonization of Mars realistic target, available at the present level of technological and economic capabilities of mankind.
     
 
 
 I greet the participants of the forum.
 I am Russian innovator and advocate of space colonization. By specialization I am not an engineer and manager for the organization of production and business development in the industrial sector.
 If you look at the space program in terms of the production manager, it immediately catches the eye a lot of untapped opportunities. Outer space, a source of inexhaustible resources, both material and energy. Mastering space, is to overcome the barriers hindering further progress, such as the limited markets, the limited resources of the earth and environmental threats. Cosmic expansion has its beginning, but it has no end, since endless cosmic ocean. The development is only the nearest planets and asteroids will make every inhabitant of the land millionaire, while increasing the quality of life to the modern representative of the elite.
 But space exploration for several decades remains at the stage of trial and research expeditions. And what is even more strange, aerospace agency for serious account are not looking for ways to space colonization. Otherwise, this area would be included in the program of space research. And it is not. It hovers somewhere in abstract futuristic perspective. In general, as well as the very important task space colonization general.
 This situation in the public space program has developed due to the fact that space expedition from the beginning served as political propaganda purposes, and these objectives have formed the whole scientific and technical basis of modern astronautics.
 Look for approaches to space colonization mainly individual enthusiasts, people outside the system.
 Modern conceptual projects associated with the colonization of space, it's not mega projects without clear and practical purposes, the time of "Racing for the record," and futuristic projects. These projects have a real economic and a technological stage. Although it is space colonization scenarios are still at a formative stage, they have a lot welter. But, in general, they are quite feasible and reasonable.
 I have an architectural scenario of transition to the development of the industrial system within the near-Earth orbital space. But this post I'm writing the script colonization of Mars.
 Now quite well known approaches to the practical development of the cosmos. It is a complex of space transportation infrastructure within the Earth's orbit. elimination system consisting of shuttles or cheap disposable rockets, and the system of orbital tugs. Provides transportation services for the removal of communication satellites. The space station that serves as a base for the installation, repair and re-equipment of spacecraft. Basically satellites. In the future, perhaps orbiting solar power plants. And the raw material bases on the moon, serving as a source of resources and consumables for the constellation. Basically fuel.
 Known perspective direction of development of asteroids. Employees first source for expensive and rare earth, rare earth and precious metals. Later sources of a variety of resources consumer.
 With the industrialization of near-Earth space exploration of the Moon and asteroids, all outlined clearly.
 But Mars is still a blank spot in the theoretical basis associated with the colonization of space.
 Mars is among the nearest planets in the solar system most like the earth. Therefore, he calls to his intense interest. Colonization of Mars for decades excites the minds of scientists and entrepreneurs enthusiasts, such as "Elon Musk". Mars is available for modern transport systems. Creating a manned base on Mars, available in terms of funding.
 But, despite all this, the colonization of Mars is still no practical and implementable system approaches. First of all, there is no practical purpose for the human activity on Mars. And because of this, all the approaches to the development of Mars, have only a research, or abstract. At the present stage, it is possible to create a scientific manned base on Mars. But how about after that, can develop the further development of this planet have no idea close to reality. Those that are, are more similar to futurism and science fiction, both in terms of the purposes of a stay on Mars, and from the point of view of development approaches Martian bases, and later the Martian colonies. Ideas that twenty years later to Mars fly thousands of fanatics who will fund their own missions, to spend the rest of life in a tin, in the middle of the desert, as it does not sound very realistic.

 
The approach to the colonization of Mars, the asteroid through the support base of the industrial system in its orbit.
   
 
 I can offer a new approach to the colonization of Mars. Based on the industrial development of the Martian orbit and Martian satellites. With the subsequent transition of inhabited settlements and industrial systems from orbit to the planet's surface.
 As is known, the most diverse, abundant, and affordable for space transport sources of extraterrestrial resources are on asteroids. And most of all, the development of asteroid resources will be one of the leading areas of mass industrialization of space.
 Mars, the planet is located close to the asteroid belt. And Martian orbit is well suited for the base location for the industrial processing of asteroid resources. To fly from the asteroid belt to the ground and not far from cheap. In addition, the load of the first interplanetary transport ships, most likely will not be high by industry standards. Therefore, asteroid resources to better expose the enrichment in the asteroid belt, or near the asteroid belt. In order to carry the ground concentrates expensive elements.
 The peculiarity of Mars, that this planet is located in relative proximity to the astronomical asteroid belt. At the same time, Mars is slowly circles the asteroid belt. If you place the main support base for the asteroid industrial system on the Martian orbit. This will lead an active exploration of the entire asteroid belt rather than a small part of it. Lead production in the most convenient and abundant deposits of asteroid resources, while Mars is near. When the orbit is an orbit of Mars, will be removed from the explored deposits. They can be left standalone automated database maintained by robots, drones. And leave them in self-mode. And as far as possible, the development itself. To serve as reference points for further industrialization, when Mars will approach again.
 Industrial base on the Martian orbit, are likely to be able to serve, not only for intermediate processing asteroidal resources, and the base for transport ships. But the main production center, which will begin with the creation of large-scale industrial systems in the asteroid belt.
 As you know, for the industrialization of space you plan to use the production technology of so-called "New industrial way of life." Allows you to perform a variety of complex products without complicated and large-sized production lines characteristic of modern industry. The most famous example, production of machines is a new way of 3D printers. Another feature of the new machine tool production order, the ability to produce their own copies, with the necessary resources. These features of the new way of production system, make it possible to quickly duplicate and reproduce industrial power, away from the earth. On Mars orbit the earth far and near asteroid resources, they are diverse and plentiful. Therefore, much more profitable to develop an industrial system by asteroid resources than transporting the equipment to the ground. And accordingly, for investors, it is very advantageous to have a fast-growing semi autonomous system on the Martian orbit. Which will grow without significant costs, but bringing trillions of profits in the form of caravans of rockets made of asteroid resources and loaded with precious rare elements.
 The emergence of large-scale industrial system asteroid may in some perspective. We can not say that the futuristic. But a few decades.
 In the early stages, orbital "About Martian" industrial base needs to be research. Private traders will not send tens of billions of investment in the promising areas not promise immediate and guaranteed profits. But the state can invest in projects Martian bases at least several tens of billions. And in this case, investment in Martian projects, will be in the interests of the state, seeking to make "sensational achievement in space", and in the interests of private corporations seeking to enter the promising market of asteroid resources. And in the interest of the prospects for the development of the global industry and the economy. And in the interests of civilization, tending to move from the planetary level to the cosmic.
 If the project is about Martian industrial base, it will not be easy, though large, but as a private research project. And will be the first point of reference literally, landmark, prospective development directions. In addition, it combines a wide variety of interests, political, scientific, corporate, economic and general civilization. Resources for its implementation will certainly be found. Most likely in the form of public-private partnership in the face of several major space agencies of the world, and the association of private large private corporations.
 If the program is about a Martian base, from the very beginning it will be planned as an industrial base. This will not only start pilot testing of promising technologies. But also significantly reduce the costs of implementing the program. Since the bulk of the structures around the Martian base and later and Martian settlements will be made on the spot. They do not have to deliver on the ground.
 In my opinion, a program about the Mars base, should be divided into several stages.
 In the first phase, it should be started as a research project to study the Martian satellites. Phobos and Deimos. The study of the chemical composition and properties of soil.
 The next step should be created smaller, automated database prototype. That will not be expensive, but functional. At this point, with the help of robots, will go tunneling in the soil of one of the satellites of Mars and maintained the construction of modules habitable base recessed into the ground. And external structures on the moon's surface. In this way. On stage, a prototype database, it is possible to build an in-depth and well-protected bunker, suitable to host the next stage. And while the ground have to deliver modules, construction and heavy equipment.
  The next step should be staffed "asteroid", about a Martian base, the human crew. And sophisticated production equipment. Which can produce the machine for digging soil and construction ships for flights to asteroids, pilot plants for processing of asteroid resources, and a variety of machines, to further expand the base on the moon of Mars.
 These steps may take 10, 15 years and require a cost of about $ 50 billion. Dates and amounts of costs rather approximate. They can vary widely depending on the technology that is now developing rapidly. Time and cost, the project about a Martian base, comparable with the project, a manned scientific base on Mars. But unlike modern scientific projects, the industrial base will be functional. States will have to invest money in it, as long as it does not send the first batch to the ground asteroid resources. From this point on it will work as a private, and will continue to grow through private investment.
 The production capacity around the Martian industrial base in the tens of times reduce the cost of future projects to study Mars. Since the base is able to produce habitable modules, rovers, construction equipment, and other "heavy metal", for scientific databases. No special costs.
 When near the Martian base will profit. It will begin to grow rapidly. For its maintenance base will need human crews, whose number is constantly increasing. In the early stages, the crews will be located in the "subsurface silos", on one of the satellites of asteroids. But when the base will grow, it will become a well-stocked equipment and "cybernated", its turnover will exceed tens of billions per year. Will it appropriate to place the crews on the surface of Mars. The special bases settlements. Which will serve as recreation areas, places for remote operation, through the management of a "robot avatars," or automated control equipment and space vehicles.
 Conditions on the surface of Mars is closer to Earth, has gravity, beneath the surface of an unlimited space inhabited settlement on the planet's surface. You can come to the surface for walking during periods of weak cosmic radiation. The planet's surface is far more comfortable life than the orbital station or base on Mars around asteroids. And consequently, the creation of inhabited settlements on the surface of Mars, will increase the length of stay of people on Mars. What would be profitable for investors, as it will allow to reduce the number of long and expensive flights between Earth and Mars.
 In addition, much easier to grow food plants and food animals may breed on the surface of Mars than on the orbital stations. So the Martian base settlements can take over the function of space trusses. To ensure staff about the Martian industrial system with fresh food.
 The construction of bases on the surface of Mars, after the commissioning of some Martian industrial groups will not be expensive. So it will come at the expense of the equipment produced for about a Martian base.
 And flights from the surface of the planet to orbit and back, too, will not be expensive. Since that time there will be cheap, reusable, transport infrastructure system. Which will consist of the park or reusable rockets on chemical fuel, similar to modern missiles "Falcon". Martian missiles can be single stage, due to the low gravity and low orbital velocity on Mars. Or, to be built "Elevator", between the Mars orbit and surface. The weak gravity on Mars allows you to make a space elevator cables from available materials such as carbon fiber or glass cloth.
 Time to create a permanent about Martian industrial groups and permanent manned Martian "settlement Base" can be evaluated in about 25 - 40 years.
 Then, about Martian Industry Grouping and the Martian settlement will go to the expansion stage. Orbital industrial group will grow. The settlements on the surface of Mars, too, will grow. At the same time, they will become more equipped and more comfortable life.
 On the surface of Mars will be an independent industrial and economic activity. Which initially will be supporting serving. This company will be contractors engaged in construction and maintenance, cultivation of food. Probably will develop and enter into circulation, the resources the planet's surface. But this will be the beginnings of a future Martian industry and economy.
 Perhaps many Martian settlers will not want to return to the ground, and will live permanently on Mars. As many shift workers working on the development of the northern oil fields remained in the northern cities. That became their familiar and comfortable.
 Going global industrial environments from the ground in the space of the solar system, accompanied by the development of the space industry and the economy. Will lead to an increase in the population of Martian settlements. The quantitative and qualitative development of the Martian settlements, the beginning of self-employment and livelihood, self-reproduction of the population, lead to the fact that the Martian base, will move from the "urbanization" stage to the stage of settlement. On-site accommodation camp will grow cities and industrial centers. Further exploration of Mars will be irreversible and will go into a large-scale stage. And the further assimilation of people of Mars, it will be a full-scale colonization.
 
 This approach to the colonization of Mars, more realistic than the concept now known. He has the real economic base, and is designed for modern technology or the near future. Initial stage of industrialization around the Martian orbit, requires expenses in the amount of not more than 50 - 100 billion dollars, in a few decades. What's on forces of the world economy and the state budget. Declaring the ultimate goal of the Mars program, based on the proposed approach, the beginning of the colonization of Mars and asteroids industrial-scale colonization, much more attractive in terms of both image and general civilizational perspective. What will contribute to a higher public interest and more successful fundraising than traditional programs, scientific manned bases on Mars.
 The first support base on the moon of Mars, cheaper base on the Martian surface. And the use of the reproduction of designs and industrial capacities in the early stages, can significantly reduce the cost of the program. And consequently the program about the Martian industrial base, requires significantly less total cost than the known program Martian bases.
 For all the basic parameters of the concept of the beginning of the colonization of Mars, the asteroid through the industrial system base on the Martian orbit, may be feasible and affordable destination Mars colonization in the foreseeable future.
 
 More details can be read on the pages of Russian in machine translation "Google" in the hold of the online publications: http://globalscience.ru/article/read/26070/
  or on my website: http://spaceexpansion.ucoz.ru/publ/1-1-0-43

 Nicholas Agapov. 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
« Last Edit: 04/10/2016 12:40 pm by Nicholas777 »

Offline Nicholas777

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  Asteroid material falls to earth as meteorites, is too small for industrial use. In space they are more expensive, but their number is not limited.
 
 I don't think there's a practical sense to use the falling to earth of natural meteoritic materials. Their total number, falling on the ground is big enough. But they are very scattered. A few stones per square kilometer, it is impossible to use in the industry. But if the ground will fall heavy enough asteroid, weighing in at thousands or millions of tons, the damage from it far exceeds the benefit of using raw materials. It will not be a "Gift of heaven" was a disaster.
 Meteorite material on earth, is only interesting from scientific point of view.
 
 Build industrial system for the extraction of asteroid resources in outer space, is expensive. But asteroid resources, there are two big advantages.
 
 First, in the asteroids, the high concentration of valuable items, precious metals, and rare earth elements. The production of which justify the costs of large-scale space program. And extract them from the ground in the space easier than on earth. In the asteroid belt, low temperature, so the surface of asteroids contain water. In asteroids with high light absorption, such as carbonaceous chondrites, it can be liquid. If you find such an asteroid, it is enough to stick in the ground electrodes, and to extract, from gold and platinum by electrolysis. In the asteroid belt, in theory, can be natural concentrates of precious metals. Over billions of years, as a result of numerous collisions in the belt accumulates fine dust. Light, silicate dust particles blown by the solar wind. And heavy particles of precious metals, remaining after the ablation of silicate dust can stick together under the action of electrostatic forces and micro-gravity. Such "Space nuggets", in the asteroid belt, it will be easier to find and to get, as they can be, not in the soil column, and in free flight or on the surface of large asteroids.
 Secondly, the materials asteroid in orbit can be much cheaper materials delivered from earth. The asteroids low gravity to fly up with them, don't need missiles. Powerful orbital tug, with cost-efficient plasma engine, can deliver into orbit hundreds, or thousands of tons of supplies per flight. Iron asteroids are made of alloy of iron and Nickel. Plastic and high-tech. It can be directly, without processing to melt the wire, and printing of this wire on a 3D printer any products. For "Space iron" 't have far to fly. Enough among near-earth asteroids. Build a space station in earth orbit from asteroid or lunar material, much cheaper than display their most massive components from the earth.
 
 The beginning of the industrialization of space is now close and it will begin active development in the coming decades.
 
With modern technology for the development of space industry does not need huge costs. Does not need to migrate beyond earth engineering plants. Fairly light vehicles with 3D printers on Board who will be able to produce their copies of space materials. And to make universal robots. Increasing their numbers exponentially. Reaching large numbers, "Microfabric", and the drones will represent a grouping of versatile production facilities and an army of "Cyber workers". Having that in space you can do whatever you want. Now this is not fiction, and the available technology, still experimental, but a 3D printer on the ISS works and robots "Avatars" for space are made.
 
 While in space there is no production activity, to space resources no one seriously not looking. But when will her development, the development of space resources, will become one of the basic directions of space activity.
 
 Human technological civilization on earth emerged in the materials of an asteroid origin.
 The earth's natural resources, also largely are of asteroid origin. They only came to earth a very long time, billions of years ago, during the great asteroid bombardment. Metals, both mass and precious water in large quantities, a large chemical diversity of rocks and soils in the earth's crust. It's the effects of asteroid bombardment. If the crust was not asteroid materials in large quantities. The terrestrial soil would consist largely of basalt and sand. There would be an abundance of metals and water. Most likely, there would be a developed biosphere. And there were no people. So many metals and substances that are mined on earth, and which allow to develop a modern technological civilization, are of the asteroid origin. In asteroids, a valuable industrial raw material, is in higher concentrations in more accessible forms, and in unlimited quantities. Human civilization, and man himself, appeared on earth due to asteroid materials. And if humanity wants to obtain unlimited possibilities for its development, it should display your production environment beyond earth and explore space resources.
 
 The first creation of infrastructure for the commercial development of asteroid resources is expensive. But it's not mega costs. Tens or hundreds of billions. Many building infrastructure on the ground for mobilization to stimulate the economy, worth more. When will be created the first successful enterprise, private investors will continue to further develop themselves. If you combine two directions of space exploration, the development of asteroid resources and development of Mars, into one program. You can concentrate more money and brains in the initial stages and faster to move to the space age.
 
 The industrialisation of space and exploration of asteroids now are a lot less popular in the world. For the development of asteroid resources, there are only two private firms, with a small capacity and investments of about $ 10 billion. And the colonization of Mars, is of great interest. And potential participants in Mars programs, it is the largest space Agency, with their powerful scientific and industrial potential and budgets in the tens of billions.
 
 The program is the colonization of Mars through the creation of industry database asteroid on the Martian orbit, can play a role of mobilization of snatch, which will focus global space and scientific potential. As a result, will be achieved faster industrialization of space, and will be given beginning the colonization of Mars.

 
 

Offline A_M_Swallow

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What are the most common asteroid materials?  What are the most abundant asteroid materials having the highest return on investment? 

There is some need for water, but I think in order to make a trip to the asteroids profitable, my guess is that the most sought after material would be something else?

Other material - something that masses more than the payload of the launch vehicle that sent the mining equipment. Iron ore may fit. Carbon compounds to make plastics. A large quantity of aluminium.

What ever is mined would have to be usable in space; since even gold is cheaper to mine on Earth than bringing it back from the asteroid belt.

Offline Hanelyp

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What advantage does Martian orbit have for an asteroid processing industry over other locations?  Are users of materials produced going to be more common there for some reason?

Offline savuporo

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What advantage does Martian orbit have for an asteroid processing industry over other locations?
None. You want your machinery within a reasonable signal lag range of your operators, a couple seconds max. In all likelihood your operators are manning 3 shifts out of an office building in Arizona, so your machinery is orbiting eearth, at most at about lunar distance.


Orion - the first and only manned not-too-deep-space craft

 

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