The Architecture of a Growing Mars Community: 4Frontiers Generation II Settlement Design
- Paper number
IAC-08.E5.I.3
- Author
Mr. Joseph E. Palaia, IV, 4Frontiers Corporation, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Mark Homnick, 4Frontiers Corporation, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Xavier Claramunt, Galactic Suite, Ltd., Spain
- Coauthor
Mr. Marc Zaballa, Galactic Suite, Ltd., Spain
- Year
2008
- Abstract
This paper describes 4Frontiers Corporation’s architectural design for a permanent Mars settlement. The design revises and improves upon prior concepts developed by 4Frontiers and the Mars Homestead Project. The company’s latest design effort has addressed the following objectives: 1. Better define the needs for a first permanently inhabited settlement on Mars. 2. Develop design concepts for all technical disciplines as well as detailed designs for key areas of that settlement. 3. Identify essential mining, refining and manufacturing technologies, systems and facilities. Emphasis has been placed on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) in order to reduce Earth import requirements. The design effort has seeded various company activities, including planned prototype habitat construction. One of 4Frontiers’ goals is to build a full-scale terrestrial analog of the initial settlement for informative entertainment purposes as well as to support space habitat research and development. Following an initial preliminary programming activity completed in 2005, 4Frontiers has since completed a second generation effort, involving a global team of 45 scientists, engineers and specialists. The second generation, eight month study, refined and expanded upon concepts established in the initial study, bringing the level of detail and understanding to equipment layout design level for the initial settlement. In addition to an initial home for approximately two dozen settlers, this effort also examined the broader issues related to a branch of human civilization on the red planet growing to more than 1000 people. This paper covers the master planning, architectural, and structural aspects of the 4Frontiers Gen II settlement. Emphasis is on the design of sustainable and pleasant spaces that facilitate the development of a viable community starting from a small group of people living in isolation and extreme conditions. Realistic engineering constraints of safety, efficiency, and expandability are considered. Future publications describing other programming disciplines are planned.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)