Storm shelter concept (again)

Here's some stuff about storm shelters.

"When the sun flares, it produces x-rays, gamma-rays, and energetic
particles. The energetic particles are the worst, but they are
delayed compared to the X-rays and gamma-rays, so you have some
warning that they are coming. This gives you time to get into
a 'storm shelter', a well-shielded area that you can live in for a
few days until the particles die down. A good place for a storm
shelter would be in the center of the ship, surrounded by the water
tanks. If you don't have a storm shelter (e.g. if you are out
moonwalking in just your suit) a bad solar flare can kill you by
radiation sickness.

http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/980119b.html

"...most SPEs (Solar Particle Events) are relatively short-lived
(less than 1-2 days), which allows for relatively small volume "storm
shelters" to be feasible. To minimize exposure, the crew would be
restricted to the storm shelter during the most intense portion of
the SPE, which may last for several hours. Storm shelters with
shielding of approximately with 20 g/cm2 or more of water equivalent
material will provide sufficient shielding to protect the crew. "

http://srag-nt.jsc.nasa.gov/docs/TM104782/techmemo.htm

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Now, with a storm shelter, you can afford to have less overall mass.

Besides increased mobility (if anyone ever wants to go there),
there's also the lower cost and ease of construction. Less weight to
lug around (or less pasting) means faster, and less laborious,
construction. Less material means less slag to cart around or bundle
up which also means faster, as well as more energy-efficient,
construction.

It's not just what works.

Walking works.

Riding a horse works.

If you can get there sitting on your butt, then why the hell walk?

George
http://cygo.com/