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Thread: The Challenges of Building Human Habitats in Space

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    The Challenges of Building Human Habitats in Space

    Science fiction could become science fact with current technology. Space stations that rotate to mimic gravity.

    The Challenges of Building Human Habitats in Space

    ***

    Beyond that, NASA, the ESA, and other international and commercial partners plan to set up shop on the Moon. This will entail the creation of the Lunar Gateway (an orbital habitat) and the Artemis Base Camp (a surface habitat) that will allow for a program of "sustained lunar exploration and development."


    In the commercial sector, companies like SpaceX are pushing the boundaries to create the world's first entirely-reusable and super-heavy launch system. Known as the Starship, this brainchild of Elon Musk will be making regular trips to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and perhaps ferrying people to the Moon and Mars in just a few years' time.


    There's simply no denying it, a new age of space exploration is upon us! But whereas the previous space age was all about getting to space, the current age is concerned with staying there. That means developing the technologies for long-duration stays - in other words, space stations.


    Space is dangerous

    ***

    A time-honored idea

    For over a century, scientists have theorized that one possible solution would be to build habitats in space that rotate to create some type of artificial gravity. The solution is elegant and likely to be very effective.


    Fans of science fiction and cinema will no doubt recognize this description for a rotating "pinwheel" station in space. That's because the concept was featured in the classic 1968 film by Stanley Kubrick 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was co-written by famed physicist and mathematician Arthur C. Clarke (and based on his short story "The Sentinel.")


    As a scientist and futurist, who believed humanity's future lay in space, Clarke's expertise informed the design of the station (as well as other technical aspects of the film). While this film popularized the idea for millions of people, it was actually a well-dated concept by the time of the film's release.


    The concept of a space station that will rotate to simulate the effects of gravity was originally proposed by the Russian/Soviet scientist and "father of astronautics" Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. In 1903, he released a treatise titled "Exploration of Outer Space with Reaction Machines" that spelled out how developments in rocketry could allow for space travel.
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    RMNIXON (01-27-2023)

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    We have known how to do this for a very long time. The major issue is payload expense to weight ratios that are going downward!
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    Quote Originally Posted by RMNIXON View Post
    We have known how to do this for a very long time. The major issue is payload expense to weight ratios that are going downward!
    And now with 3D printing, much of a space station may be able to be made at location.
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