Space Settlements: A Design Study

Toroidal Colony

Table of Contents

• A Design Study
• Foreword
• Preface
• List of Participants

• The Overall System
• Design Goals
• The History of an Idea
• References

• The Topography of Space
• Solar Radiation: An Abundant and Essential Source of Energy
• Matter in Space: A Major Resource
• Appendix A Meteroids and Sace Habitats
• Appendix B Ionizing Radiation in Space
• References

• Weightlessness: Psuedogravity is Needed
• Atmosphere: Less is Enough
• Food and Water
• Combined Environmental Stresses: Probably Not Serious
• Environmental Design to Reduce Stress
• Small Size and Isolation
• Summary of Design Criteria
• Appendix A - Psychological and Cultural Considerations
  
• Appendix B - Space Requirements of Various Community Activities
  
• References

• The Shape of the Habitat
• Shielding
• What if Criteria Change
• Fabrication Techniques
• The People in the Colony
• Life Support
• Satellite Solar Power Stations: No Alternatives
• Where the Colony Should be Located
• Mining, Transport, and Processing in Space
• The Transport System
• Summary
• Appendix A Material Properties for Design
• Appendix B Parameters of Habitability
• Appendix C Mass as a Measure of Structural Cost
• Appendix D The Plasma Core Shield
• Appendix E Structures by Vacuum Vapor Fabrication
• Appendix F Interior Building Materials and Components
• Appendix G Population Distributions and Trends
• Appendix H Satellite Solar Power Stations (SSPS)
• Appendix I Processing of Metals
• Appendix J Glass Processing
• Appendix K The Lunar Gas Gun Mass Driver
• Appendix L Passive Catchers
• Appendix M Space Transportation Systems
• Appendix N Impact of Earth Launch Vehicles on the Ozone Layer
• References

Chapter 5 - A Tour of the Colony

• Earth to Low Earth Orbit
• The Habitat at L5
• Production at L5
• The Lunar Base
• The Mass Catcher at L2
• Home to Earth
• Appendix A Structural Design Concept for a Shell Structure
• Appendix B Structural System for Housing
• Appendix C Agriculture
• Appendix D Productivity
• Appendix E Mass Shielding
• Appendix F The Mass Driver
• Appendix G The Mass Catcher
• Appendix H Trajectories from the Moon to L
• Appendix I Rotary Pellet Launcher
• Appendix J Impact Upon Lunar Atmosphere
• Appendix K Chevron Shields
• References

• Prepatory Work
  
• Materials and Supplies
  
• Transportation and Construction
  
• Estimating Costs and Time
  
• Production of Energy in Space as a Potential Economic
  Justification for Space Colonization
• Appendix A Space Colonization Cost Parametrics
• Appendix B Lunar SSPS Power
• Appendix C The Flyback F-1
• Appendix D Methods for Estimating Cost and Time for SSPS and More Colonies
• Appendix E Electricity Benefits
• Appendix F Composite Variables for SSPS and Additional Colonies
• Appendix G Concepts for Estimating Profits for the Colony
• Appendix H Environmental Impact of Microwave Power Transmission
• References

• Benefits Not Related to Energy
• Research in Deep Space
• Rocket Engines for Deep Space
• Transport
• The Astroidal Resources
• New Methods of Construction
• Habitat Design
• Automation and Productivity
• Limits to Growth
• Some Economic Considerations

• Recommendations for Research and Development in Critical Subsystems
  
• Recommendations for Space Ventures
  
• Conclusions

Space Colony Illustrations

Curators: Al Globus and Bryan Yager
NASA Responsible Official: Dr. Ruth Globus		Last Updated: July 10, 2002
If you find any errors on this page contact Al Globus.