Monday, May 15, 2006

Technology in space

STAIF - Space Technology and Applications International Forum - occurs yearly in February and covers the prospect of using current or emerging technology for exploration and intersteller settlement. In otherwords, my favorite topic: STELLAR COLONIZATION.

Alright, I checked SPACE.com for this one. This group has thought out how to use technology that seems unrealated to space exploration in colonization scenarios. One Site (STAIF 2007 hosted by the University of New Mexico) contains links to conference CFPs -- Last year they requested 58 different topics -- covering many possible disciplines. Take for example Research Warps into Hyperdrive posted on SPACE.com -- Just the title, before reading the store has me thinking of Star Trek style voyages -- definately a way to propel interstellar colonization. It is however, just a theoretical discussion of advanced propulsion.

Gotta go!

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Interstellar Habitat modules

Living in Space: How to create a stellar colony

Everyone has seen the artistic impressions of space housing and lunar buildings, but where does the technology for these colonial habitat stand today? To find out, I did a simple search at one of my favorite websites SPACE.com and found these four stories.

Prototype Mars Base to Rise on Arctic Island. Dated in 1999, this describes the technology being tested in the artic for developing lightweight structures for deployment in the cold environment of Mars. The structure was to be dubbed "Mars Arctic Research Station" so I may find and post more information here for you later on that project. It should include the following based on the notes: garage, greenhouse, dwelling area, laboratory, and workshop for a crew compliment of 4-6 "martians" and be situated (unless this had been changed) on Devon Island. One thing I did not see covered in the article was the fine particulate dust said to exist everywhere in the martian atmosphere. Other issues they may be addressing in the future, although not listed, is ground level radiation, insulation repairs (the average temperature and its extremes are lower than here on earth), and disaster recover in case of habitat breech. In all, I would say this is a good first start on planet side or asteroid side interstellar colonization habitat modules. Related links:

Private Sector, Low-Cost Lunar Plan Unveiled, dated 2005, discusses very briefly a proposal for a south-pole habitat on the moon. It is in very general terms and mentions the companies involved as: SpaceDev of Poway, CA; Lunar Enterprise Corporation; and Space Age Publishing Company (Parent of LEC). Related links:

Progress Made on Inflatable Private Space Module, dated 2005, describes a habit module for interstellar colonization (or at least a LEO colony) that can be inflated to "roughly 45 feet (13.7 meters) long and 22 feet (6.7 meters) in diameter". It is supposed to be launched this year (the story reports the 1st quarter, so it should already have been launched). It is backed by a major name in the Anasari X prize -- Robert Bigelow (owner of Budget Suites of America). Related links:

Designing Our Future in Space, dated 2000, discussed the people, technology, and process involved with space-based architecture from rockets to ISS focusing primarily on the differences to the design requirement and the training of future Space Architects. Ideas from this new generation of architects are definitely pointing in the direction of off-world, intersteller colonization. Related links:

These are examples of the technology under development for our future in space, interstellar colonization, and planetary exploration. There are thousands more available around the internet and I encourage you to explore and comment on them.