Gradually settling a space colony

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "danj_caslaw"
wrote:
> --- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "rick000brooks"

> wrote:
> > Somehow I don't think we'll see nearly all the people moving
into a
> > space colony all at once.
> >
> > It is going to take time to build up a space colony, especially
if
> we
> > want to use mainly space resources.
>
> A question from a new guy here(who has realised it's about time to
> make a proper debut:);

Welcome

> Is it necessary to fill space habitats to capacity? I am thinking
> more of Island 3 designs, which are meant to accommodate a
population
> of millions(10 million is the most I've heard), would it be
practical
> to 'get by' with a population of only 1 million?

I tend to think that the Habitats will grow organically. In the case
of one that is the size of Island 3, how likely is it that a city
will be built in its entirety before a single person moves through
the airlock?

The Habitat may have a design limit of 10,000,000 but the population
increase, the air exchange mechanisms, the flora, the fauna, the
sewage treatment, etc will all probably grow in lockstep. About the
only things that'll have to be established in their entirety from
the outset will be the atmosphere, the "land", the conduits that are
required for later infrastructure.

As in, would 1
> million(or less) be enough to justify the cost and effort of
building
> a habitat that size?

It all comes down to economics IMO. If a million people can afford
to pay for the place then why not?

>
> I realise that the thinking may be more along the lines of, 'fill
it
> up and then build another one', but would it be comfortable doing
it
> that way, in terms of stress on air recycling systems, sewage
> management systems, and such?

I tend to think that there will be design limits and things will
function within parameters below the limits. If you're the
designers, why would you set an upper population limit that is going
to exceed or stress the life support system.

TangoMan