life beyond earth: the rings of the earth

Paper number

IAC-16,D3,IP,3,x32256

Coauthor

Prof.Dr. JM Reyes, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Antonio Cobo Arévalo, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain

Year

2016

Abstract

By Phd Architec reyesJM (New Milky Way: project by JM Prada Poole for the 22nd century)

JM Prada's (1) orbital megalopolis envisions 8 concentric rings of circular cross-section, in orbit at an
average height of 1000 km above the Earth's crust (like the rings around Saturn, but with different
dimensions and a different objective). Each of these rings functions in the same way as a 14,700-km
diameter torus, hosting a population of 1,000 million people and providing for all their needs in its interior.
The main aim of the project is to empty planet Earth of most of its human population, and thus allow the
biosphere to continue its natural evolution without having to bear the harmful interference and burden of
humankind. This paper describes the composition and size of one of these rings, and compares its parts
with other similar ones already built by the human species. It begins with a brief explanation of the historical
background and an introduction discussing demographic development over the last two centuries and its
most immediate consequences.

(1) JM Prada Poole is Professor Emeritus at ETSAM (U P Madrid). His designs pursue maximum efficiency and sustainability (very
similar to RB Fuller's ideas), and he has won numerous awards and international honours: National Prize for Architecture in 1972 ;
Resident Professor at MIT (1978-82) ; construction of the Palenque for the EXPO in Sevilla'92 ; several international awards for
architecture /guest professor throughout Latin America for countless classes, workshops, and exhibitions of great scope. His concern
for the urban phenomenon and the planetary balance is a constant in his work. Among his most outstanding projects are: "The house
of paradise”: 1st prize COAM 1991 ; "Atlantida": 2nd prize AIA (USA-1987) ; "forest city”: published in "4 games for 4 fates" (2010) ;
"Parkbite”: restricted invitations to tender in P. de Mallorca together with R. Rogers+partners, (1995) ;… .They are all living proposals
based on important infrastructure which leverage their position in nature without overexploiting the land.

Key words: Orbital life, space colonies, extraterrestrial resources, artificial megastructures, natural
processes, project for the future, saving Earth.

Abstract document

IAC-16,D3,IP,3,x32256.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-16,D3,IP,3,x32256.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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