Space Settlement

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "nicolewlleung"
wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I am currently attending a Space System Design Contest with my
> friends but I don't know where to start with. What should I do?
> Should I use a Functional Flow Block Diagram or what?
>
> Also any tips in designing a space settlement system?
>
> Thanks a lot!
>
> Nicole
>

Dear Nicole,

People have written entire books on the design of space colonies. An
in depth design proposal might encompass many hundreds of pages of
technical data relating energy requirements, mass balance equations
for consumables such as oxygen, water, carbon, etc.

For your purpose I suggest you start with the fundamental requirements
needed to support a community in space. These would be radiation
shielding, energy generation (probably solar generated electricity),
artificial gravity to prevent medical complications caused by extended
zero gravity living conditions, and a community size that might
reasonably be expected to be self-sufficient (10,000 is a generally
accepted minimum size). Add to these considerations the need to grow
food to support the community and the need to recycle all waste
streams to conserve water, oxygen and carbon.

Space colonies in the shape of a sphere, a torus, and a cylinder have
been proposed. All of these rotate to provide artificial gravity.
Beyond these basic guidelines you'll have to rely on your own research
and imagination to create your space colony. Good luck.

Chris