Making space habs possible

--- On Sun, 19/4/09, sraj wrote:
> To make space habs possible, we will
> need the ability to integrate a huge
> number of different disciplines.

As we do already with large aircraft, civil engineering projects, computers, and factories.

> On planet earth the basic life support
> systems are provided by Nature and there has been a huge
> reserve in terms of resources and
> in terms of the earth's ability to absorb pollutants.

In space Nature will most likely still be supplying the other half of the life support loop. Humans ARE nature, and we can't help but take ourselves with us. Most suggestions for living in space also mention trees and such like.

The asteroid belt and other NEOs provide far greater resources. And space has even more abundant energy reserves than are available on the ground.

All chemical poisons can be broken down into comparatively harmless components with application of simple raw thermal energy. Elemental poisons can be kept out completely. Unrecyclable detritus can filtered for and easily be sent elsewhere, or just dumped 'off world' with much greater ease than can be done on Earth's surface.

> The CRUCIAL issue is the way in which we communicate. Most
> communication today by newspaper and TV

Careful. You'll hurt the internet's feelings.

> How will humans communicate when they start to
> make space habs?

By radio or laser I should imagine.

I would argue that many of the issues you've raised have been solved. They just haven't been implemented.

John