Extensible Mars Base by jramirezperez

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

The extensible mars base consists of a group of domes interconnected via multi-use corridors (Fig 1).
Spacecraft barrel sections are repurposed as connecting corridors (Fig 6, 9,10,19). Simple domes are to be manufactured additively, in place, between the barrel sections (Fig 11). One launch vehicle dome and sump per barrel segment is repurposed as cupola. The other dome/sump stays in place as firewall. The barrels are built with sealed side hatches, which are used on Mars for egress (Fig 9). Cupola is the windowed structure that sits on top of the dome (repurposed from flight hardware or built in place) (Fig 15, 17). In addition, printing in place (both monolithically or in facets) allows for a printed part to confirm to the landscape. Terrain can be scanned, design can tweaked and made to fit.
Structures are to be dome shaped due to the shape's strength (natural strength of an arch) making it capable of withstanding frequent dust storms. It also provides good insulation (minimal surface area of a spherical section), protecting the crew from high radiation levels and cold Martian nights. These attributes help protect the crew from the harsh martial environment.
Settlers would live in the barrel section temporarily, while the domes are built, then gradually move into their new more spacious domes. As the name suggests, it is possible to expand the base by printing various sets of domes and connecting them via their hatches (Fig 11,12,13,14). This allows for rapid base growth, allowing the crew to print and interconnect domes on a need basis. Domes may be used for research, storage, living quarters, power generation, or a community socialization. This mars colony affords humanity the opportunity to 'experiment' or try on novel social structures.
Inside of domes are coated with LED paint, which combined with natural light from the copula provide a connection to the outside world. A way for the crew to relate to the martian seasons, weather and time of day (Fig 15). LED lights can be used to improve mood in a similar way to that of the Boeing 787 or Airbus A320 mood lighting. Thus making its occupants feel closer to home. LED painted surfaces could also depict live scenes from home, for example, a settler’s back yard, or honeymoon spot.
Due to its feasible design, it is possible to use a sophisticated 3D printer to build the domes, or something simpler and lighter, as illustrated by the patents below.
Printing options:
The domes are directly printed by the 3D printer.
The 3d printer (Makerbot) could print the robot that then in turn builds (prints) the dome. In this case the dome is relatively smooth or tangent continuous.
The domes are assembled using tiles printed on the 3d printer (Makerbot). The printer would be setup in one of the barrel sections and cranks out dome sections - in this case it would be geodesic
Patent US2877530
[https://www.google.com/patents/US2877530?dq=US2877530&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6_yXU63AM8jFoATFvoGwDw&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA]
Patent US3376602
[https://www.google.com/patents/US3376602?dq=US3376602&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2PyXU8z6MMXhoASl14HQCA&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA]
Patent US3417429
[https://www.google.com/patents/US3417429]
*Figures are referenced in their respective gallery order