Kalpana One design (was Rotating space colonies)

Your right, Mike. When we get to the detailed design stage of a project
of this scope, I'm sure the engineers will be looking at availability of
materials, standardization of construction techniques, cost of
transporting construction materials, etc. They may find that thin-walled
metallic spokes are more cost-effective. It's also possible that with a
robust production and transportation system for torus
structural/shielding sections already established, the cost of using the
same type of material and construction techniques for the spokes may be
preferable.

We're a long way from having to make detailed construction plans. First,
we need to establish a source of accessible raw material. We then need
to design and establish mining, processing, and fabrication falilities,
as well as a transportation system for the finished construction
components. The step-by-step plans for these preliminary activities are
- in themselves - an interesting topic of discussion.

Chris

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "Combs, Mike"
>
> csmyth3025:
>
> > If one takes the 1977 Ames Research Center study for
> > shielding requirement for radiation workers (5 rem/yr) as a baseline
> > requirement ...
> > , the shell of the torus and, I
> > would think, the "spokes" as well, will have to be constructed with
> > about 2800 kg/m^2 "walls".
>
> Probably no need for shielding in the spokes. People would only make
brief transits through them, not live in them.