Designing a Space Colony
A space colony is seen as one of the most important options available to the continuation
of mankind in the future. Space colonies on the Moon, Mars, asteroids, other worlds and
in orbit around the Earth have been suggested, designed and promoted since the 1950's.
Early orbiting space stations were designed like large wheels spinning in space. Many scientists have advocated expanding the human presence to other worlds.
There are a great many things we can do on other worlds and in Earth orbit. We can set
up mining stations on the Moon, and fund laboratories in space to perform experiments
you wouldn't want to do on Earth because of the risks involved to the population. We can
also build observatories and factories in space.
The goal of this project is to design and illustrate a space colony. Although your design group may look for inspiration online, the design itself must be original. The finished product will be displayed on a posterboard and will include a blueprint for the colony as well as a smaller illustration of the external structures. Designs will also include a key that matches a particular area of the colony to its purpose on the back of your poster.
Ideas for Designing a Space Colony
When designing a space colony, groups must include necessary structures in a way that utilizes all possible space and considers the needs of the people living in the colony. Included is a list of structures and supplies that will be necessary to include in your design plans. A good place to start is with the necessities like air and food and work your way towards non-vital structures such as laboratories and recreational facilities.
Parts of a Space Colony
Laboratory Modules - The crew work quarters, where experiments on materials and
living things will take place.
Habitation Modules - These will have living quarters for the crews and may include a
shower, private compartments, and a galley (eating area).
Greenhouses - Used for growing food and contributing to the oxygen system, also a way
to use excess carbon dioxide.
Solar Arrays – To collect and store up electricity to power the various lunar base
systems and experimental activities.
Antennas - Used for communication back to the Earth and with arriving and departing
spacecraft.
Surface Rovers - Pressurized rovers can be used for long journeys, simpler open rovers
can be used for short trips.
Resource Utilization Facilities - Used to mine the resources of the moon or planet for
use in the base, or for manufacturing propellant (fuel) for space ships.
Telescopes - On the Moon where there is no atmosphere, telescopes would provide
scientists and astronomers a great view of deep space beyond Earth's atmosphere.
Supply Ships - Spacecraft used to bring crews and supplies to and from the space base.
Space Suits - Astronauts will need to wear space suits for construction and repair of the
space base, either on the Moon or Mars or on an orbiting space base (although the
construct of each may be slightly different due to different conditions).
Air Supply
Consider that your space colony will need air. The modules will have to be enclosed or
the entire living area inside a protective dome. Production facilities could create oxygen
from water using electrolysis. Oxygen is also produced by photosynthesis from plants
and a greenhouse attached to a living area could help with this process. There is also a
process for extracting oxygen from rocks and soil that is being developed for use on the
Moon or Mars.
Communications
Think about how people on the Earth communicate with one another. What methods
work best for long distances? For short distances? Consider communicating with
colonists who are out of the colony (such as colonists exploring in a rover). How will
you communicate with the Earth? How will you communicate with other parts of Mars -
such as meteorology stations on the other side of the planet? Will you use satellites?
Antennas?
Food Production
What are the basic food requirements for humans? (Consider the four food groups).
Space for producing food will be very limited in a space colony. On Mars, or any self-
contained colony, the food must be replenishable, as replacement stock will not be
available from Earth. The space available on the ship that transports the colony to Mars
will be much more limited than even the colony itself. Even with limited resources,
colonists will appreciate a varied diet. Some foods currently under consideration for use
in space missions are soybeans and wheat. Soybeans and wheat both take up a small
amount of space and are very nutritious. These crops can also be used to purify water and
to produce oxygen from carbon dioxide using photosynthesis. A greenhouse will be a
necessary addition to any space base.
Living Quarters and Laboratories
Consider factors such as, will each colonist have private living space? Every square foot
of the base will use more resources, but people are happier when they feel they have
sufficient space and privacy. What kinds of work spaces will be needed? Laboratories,
construction facilities, recycling systems, greenhouses, fuel production facilities, mining
stations, etc. Think about the purpose of your colony and what it will need to fulfill that
purpose.
Recreation Facilities
What kinds of recreation facilities would be needed in a space base? Not only the body
but the mind needs recreation. How will these facilities be different from those on Earth?
Consider for example the lower gravity on the Moon (1/6th that of the Earth) and on Mars
(1/3rd that of the Earth).
Transportation
What kinds of transportation will be necessary within the base and surrounding area?
What kinds of trips will the crews need to make? How far will crews need to go? Do you
need different methods of transportation for different purposes? What will you use for
fuel? What equipment will you bring and what containers for returning samples will you
need?
Water
Colonies will need a great deal of water for many purposes including drinking, washing,
and watering plants. Where will you get the water? How will it be stored? A recycling
facility may be needed.
Energy and Production Equipment
What energy source(s) will power the space colony? Will it be solar or nuclear? What
about a back-up system? What kinds of production will take place at your colony? Will
there be mining? Science laboratories? Telescopes? Fuel production systems? Water
production facilities? How will they be integrated together?
When you present your design to your classmates be sure to include the following:
Ø A guided tour of the facilities and a description of their purpose.
Ø How many people can your colony support? What kind of skills would they require?
Ø Describe a day in the life of a colonist. Where would they sleep, bathe, work, eat, etc.
Ø Where did you find the inspiration for your design? Did you design your colony with specific goals in mind such as convenience, exploration, or observation?
A website that might help you: http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Services/Education/SpaceSettlement/