Karen Nyberg washing her hair on ISS
Karen Nyberg washing her hair on ISS |
| < Ready for a 4-years shift on Hohmann's? > |
| The proposal to set up a ballistic cycler in outer space, connecting on a regular time schedule Mars and Earth, with travel times of several years, has to treat a couple of technical and anthropological issues. (1) How can a complex assembly as e.g. my 165-balloon station be brought into orbit with a minimum investment of energy and manpower? (2) Who would be ready to endure such a long and monotonous journey? |
| The first problem may be tackled with a modular design, combining in a repetitive way a few basic elements that could be produced in great numbers, maybe also for other purposes than space flight. My proposal is based on the tetrahedral crystal structure of diamond, connecting each spherical habitat to 4 others, and these again to 4 others. The spherical habitat with its 3 m diameter and 8 circular holes (cross section 1 m) could be composed of 24 identical parts. Only these parts would be launched into orbit and later assembled without gravity. |
| A first nucleus of the cycler would be assembled still in Earth orbit, e.g. in immediate vicinity to the ISS, consisting of a few connected spheres and 2 or 3 photosynthetic ballons. Here, the functioning of the organisms could be tested and optimized. This preparatory stage might last for several years, until satisfactory results are achieved. During this time, more modules might be added. In a second stage, the station might be propelled into its solar orbit connecting Earth and Mars, but still unmanned. |
| Human presence during such a first cycle may not be necessary, since all important data can be recorded and continuously transmitted to Earth, including videos of the plants in the balloons. The station may rotate once in 24 h around an axis perpendicular to the ecliptic plane to preserve Earth-like lighting conditions. If after some years the station for a short time comes close to Earth, it may be entered for some repairs and innovations, and may even be boarded by first human passengers for a whole cycle. |
| This brings us to the anthropological issue. Can human beings support such a journey without going crazy? I'm quite optimistic: yes, they can, provided some precautions. Since humans are social beings, passengers must have ample opportunities to communicate, either with each other, or by tele-communication with Earth. Even with a crew on board, all essential data would still continuously be communicated to Earth, and all vital parameters on board continue to be controlled from Earth. |
| This would give even a single passenger the feeling of permanent company, although with increasing distance from Earth it will take some minutes to obtain an answer to a question. With 165 photosynthetic ballons on board, life on this space station will probably never be boring. I guess it will be experienced as more exciting than many actual occupations on Earth. In principle, it will be a job like other jobs too, doing a "4-years shift on Hohmann's". At least it should, if everything works out fine. |
| In contrast to many science fiction visions, I do not see a strange exotic, or even inhumane atmosphere surrounding such an expedition. It will be "normal", just an extention in distance and time to the 6-month shifts that have become quite usual on the ISS. Living on ISS has become "normal", because hundreds of videos circulate the internet showing life on ISS (including how to wash your hair in weightlessness - see above). It may continue very similarly on a long-term cycler, and after 9 months or so all video cameras will be directed to Mars during a first close flyby... |
| MB 8/13 |