Mars base design dev thread (this is NOT an addon!)

[hieywiey]

This is one of my proposals for a Mars base, I have been thinking about it since around late December and am frankly, quite proud (and nervous) of it. Hope you enjoy!

I'm having ideas about a real life Mars base system that is sort of based off Mars One's habitat but more modular and adaptable. You could consider this as my idea for a "harder, better, faster, stronger" Mars base, since Mars One's has good basic ideas, but won't be as viable in the long run. I am thinking of where every piece of equipment is constructed of standardized parts that can be salvaged from one thing and used to repair another, in a lego-like fashion; similar to the American Jeep. All parts will have a standard attachment method for easy, but sturdy construction. Each module is the same (except for the power module) at launch but can be modified, upgraded, and specialized as time goes on and more and more modules arrive. Also like Mars One, SpaceX's Dragons will be used as the Cargo and Crew Delivery vehicles, and will be used as both the connectors for everything as well as the "wet areas" showers, bathroom, etc.

Power is from large external solar panels which are easy to clean and are robust, but unlike Mars One, fuel cells like on the Space Shuttle will be used as Backup power for emergencies and times when there is low-sunshine. The power module (P.O.O.L.E., named after Frank Poole from 2001: A Space Odyssey) has batteries, capacitors, a small heat sink/radiators, electrolyzing equipment, a water filter or boiling thingy, a non-potable water tankand Hydrogen and Oxygen tanks for use with the fuel cells. I chose fuel cells because when solar power is plentiful the water from the fuel cell can be either sanitized for consumption or electrolyzed to form Oxygen and Hydrogen, to be used in the fuel cells when solar power input is low. Half of the water produced from the fuel cells is sanitized as the crew's drinking water, the other half will be stored in P.O.O.L.E's non-potable water tank for either electrolyzing or as a coolant.

The Water Retrieval, Analyzation and Storage Module (W.I.Z.A.R.D.) retrieves water from the ice in either of Mars' Poles (Preferably the South Pole, near Mars Polar Lander's resting site which will give more info on how to improve Mars landers and to see how it's held up after all those years), this polar location is the reason for the inclusion of a secondary power source, the fuel cells in this case.

The Scientific and Medical Laboratory (aka. S.M.A.L.L.) is a triple purpose module which functions as a scientific lab, a "mini-hospital", and a medical lab which can be used to both perform medical experiments on the Human body and to gather data for medical use (like DNA tests, disease testing, etc.). S.M.A.L.L also has several scientific airlocks (like the ones on Skylab) which prevent the need of EVAs in order to run external scientific experiments.

One of the scientific airlocks on Skylab, which is what the parasol was deployed through.

The Habitat module is basically the same as on Mars One. The furniture for it is packaged in an "IKEA" fashion, but the furniture is designed especially for Mars' low gravity as in weight-saving methods, ground anchors and a different center of mass than normal Earth furniture would have; so for example the Mars chairs would flip over if someone sat in them on Earth but not on Mars. The hab module would also have the living area for a dog/s (not cats due to their "always landing on their feet thing" that would freak out in micro/low gravity) which would serve as moral support for the crew. The dog/s would be named after Laika, Belka, Strelka, Dezik, Tsygan, and other Soviet space dogs, because the universe says so, don't argue! The dog/s would be fed vegan dog food (like Ellen's) because meat is not a viable food source on Mars. The Martian canines would be trained on Earth to obey certain commands from the crew and be taught things like don't chew on any furniture or base equipment, stay away from airlocks, and how to operate onboard equipment like the canine treadmill for walking since dog EVA's are not intended, but can (but most likely will not happen) be a future possibility through modifications. Canine waste will be handled in the same manner as human waste.

Cats in microgravity, as mentioned above.

The ECLSS module is essentially a mini-farm in a box; it has plants for both food and oxygen, storage for water, food, oxygen, Co², gases like nitrogen for internal atmospheric (this is due to pure oxygen environments being EXTREMELY big fire hazards, like Apollo 1) use, waste containers (different kinds of waste are separated, so #1 isn't mixed with #2), waste processing modules (which remove water from waste, for reuse. I know that sounds gross, but you gotta get water from somewhere), and gardening materials like soil, fertilizer, shovels, etc.

ECLSS module.

The Rover Storage and Maintenance Unit (nicknamed the "Garage" at the moment, sorry that I didn't come up with a cool acronym yet, but it would be appreciated if someone wrote a suggestion in the comments below) which houses M.U.M.B.O.'s four rovers, the first two, are basically irl versions of ASET's ERV that also have fuel cells that get H2 and O2 from the main base, are meant for exploration and transportation and are capable of carrying crew but can still be controlled remotely. The other two rovers, called Unmanned Repair and Reconnaissance Rovers (U.N.A.R.E.S.) are solely unmanned and meant for maintenance/exterior damage detection, reconnaissance, and have some external experiment slots which allow various experiments and instruments to be installed, they are also equipped with two robotic arms similar to the ones on Curiosity but have hand-like manipulators as well as swappable instrument/slots. Both types of rovers are housed in the "garage" which is similar to an Earth garage in that they are stored internally within it, the entire thing essentially functions as an airlock (not really, but that's the only way I know how to describe it) by venting (in this case the air will not be vented and stored for later pressurization) all it's contents, like how the LEM did. The "garage" also houses the charging and repair supplies as well as a small model of the Lunar Roving Vehicle as a memento of Earth. All rovers are NOT delivered by Dragon, instead using a vehicle similar to the cargo lander from the MTV Copernicus Mars Mission, I decided on this for two reasons, First is that a Dragon could not deliver an ERV without on-site assembly, which could compromise structural integrity and would be more expensive (maybe not, but I'm too lazy to do all the financial calculations, so let's just assume it is) and more time-consuming than just one big launch. The second reason is that I REALLY liked the Copernicus Mars Mission and was kinda sad when Project Constellation got cancelled, although I have heard rumors about it not really being affected by Constellation's cancellation I am not 100% sure that those are true.

The Copernicus Cargo Lander I was talking about. It was planned to be launched on the Ares V, but due to

Project Constellation's cancellation the entire Ares family was scrapped. But the cargo lander could easily be launched using the SLS with a NTR (basically the irl LV-N) powered upper stage or possibly a Falcon XX, so all hope isn't lost yet.

The MTV Copernicus mission.

The Control and Communications Module (C.O.C.O.) has multiple high and low-gain antennae on top for "ET phone home"-stuff, computers, lots of buttons and screens, logistics equipment, and a cool window on the back for exterior viewing (like the one on the Mk-2 lander can). C.O.C.O. is also capable of controlling M.U.M.B.O. without humans in a semi-autonomous mode which keeps all of the resource systems running but not maintenance, which can either be done using an U.N.A.R.E.S. controlled by either mission control or the crew, preferably the latter due to speed of light delay stuff. The next module is the External Access Module (E.X.A.M.) contains the Astronauts'/Cosmonauts' space suits and EVA equipment, like surface sample collectors, flags, golf clubs, corned beef sandwiches , etc. as well as the Airlock for EVA access.

Since a lot of you were confused about the whole thing about covering the modules with nearby soil, the soil will be kept in place by a cement-like paste that will harden and then will be covered by a non-rusting (that is VERY important as almost all of Mars is made of rust) metal tarp that will help to protect the base from wind damage and meteorites/debris/etc. and reflect heat/aid visibility. The tarp will be held down by tent pegs that unlike regular ones, have outward deploying spikes that help to keep it in the ground. All areas of the base will be covered in soil and metal except for areas (not entire modules) that have external openings like the scientific airlocks in S.M.A.L.L., C.O.C.O.'s window, the "garage" door, and E.X.A.M.'s airlock door. Instead of leaving those areas unprotected, they will have built in radiation protection.

A picture of the Mars One base that this is based off of/inspired by.

It would be great if someone or I could make a picture (don't worry, I won't get mad at you if you think it's bad, I'm the exact sane way:)) I am open to any suggestions, comments, constructive criticism of any kind. I would gladly accept suggestions. I maybe (but probably not) will send this to NASA (HE'S DOING WHAT!?!?!?!) if the community feel that it is worthy and refined enough. Also, some tips on making this thread pretty would be helpful, as it's kinda ugly. This is NOT solely my idea, I do not want to have all the credit myself, it belongs to the entire KSP community, and I think that all of YOU wonderful people deserve the credit.

Link to Mars One website: http://www.mars-one.com/

Edited April 8, 2015 by hieywiey
More content and made thread prettier.

[vger]

Does it have to be CGI? Can you at least draw some basic pics and scan them?

You'd have a much better chance at getting somebody to do some renders that way.

[Bill Phil]

A common modular colony block, CMCB for short, could be essentially a tin can with compartments that can have lots of different things in them. There would be mounts for tables, cotts, and a plethora of other things. The compartments can be differently sized. A way to connect them together, and science airlocks for EVA-less external experiments.

If you would like to get this to get to NASA, and have them seriously consider it, you'll need complete designs, for just about everything. Maybe if everyone helps out? I don't know. But, good luck.

[hieywiey]

Does it have to be CGI? Can you at least draw some basic pics and scan them?

You'd have a much better chance at getting somebody to do some renders that way.

YES! You can draw/make/etc. anything, and I'm in support of it! You can make anything you want off this, but it would be nice if you shared it (but you don't have to). It doesn't matter, what you can do is what you can do; it's still good to me. I'll try to draw something, but my drawings are not going to be what everything has to look like, it'd probably go through phases. Any drawings would be very much appreciated.

A common modular colony block, CMCB for short, could be essentially a tin can with compartments that can have lots of different things in them. There would be mounts for tables, cotts, and a plethora of other things. The compartments can be differently sized. A way to connect them together, and science airlocks for EVA-less external experiments.

If you would like to get this to get to NASA, and have them seriously consider it, you'll need complete designs, for just about everything. Maybe if everyone helps out? I don't know. But, good luck.

No, it would be a inflatable module that is covered in soil from the surrounding area. Like here: https://images.indiegogo.com/file_attachments/245736/files/20131206082046-camera-15b.png?1386346846

The soil is the radiation shielding, as huge metal modules would be uneconomical. The inflatable ones would be stuffed in a Dragon, and once on the surface they would be inflated. Then the soil would go over. And the NASA thing, it was a really big maybe (basically means probably not )

Edited April 2, 2015 by hieywiey

[Bill Phil]

That's difficult, though. You need excavation equipment, plus more integration equipment. Plus, I don't know if you could stuff a decently sized inflatable module in a Dragon. The BEAM is in the cargo module, not protected by the heat shield.

[Robotengineer]

Now we need a complimentary J.U.M.B.O system. Sorry, first thing that came to mind.

[hieywiey]

Now we need a complimentary J.U.M.B.O system. Sorry, first thing that came to mind.

That'll be the name of the Jupiter version, No Europa though

[Armchair Rocket Scientist]

That's difficult, though. You need excavation equipment, plus more integration equipment. Plus, I don't know if you could stuff a decently sized inflatable module in a Dragon. The BEAM is in the cargo module, not protected by the heat shield.

Wouldn't a "tin can" module need its own aeroshell and landing rockets as well? Since an inflatable module has a somewhat smaller "stowed" volume it could be used with a smaller heat shield.

[Sampa]

I am not going to believe that Mars 1 is going to do ANYTHING until 2026 until I see the launch occur. Until then...I will consider them to be scam artist

[Bill Phil]

Wouldn't a "tin can" module need its own aeroshell and landing rockets as well? Since an inflatable module has a somewhat smaller "stowed" volume it could be used with a smaller heat shield.

A tin can would need those things, yes. But I doubt a dragon capsule could carry a decent sized one. To be perfectly honest, I don't think inflatable habitats are very good for land structures....

[hieywiey]

A tin can would need those things, yes. But I doubt a dragon capsule could carry a decent sized one. To be perfectly honest, I don't think inflatable habitats are very good for land structures....

Well Mars One says that they think it's possible to stuff an inflatable habitat into a Dragon, but not with current technology. I highly recommend looking at their website because it has pictures of what it would look like.

[Bill Phil]

Well Mars One says that they think it's possible to stuff an inflatable habitat into a Dragon, but not with current technology. I highly recommend looking at their website because it has pictures of what it would look like.

Probably not one all that similar to a Bigelow...

[hieywiey]

Over my spring break I will get to work on making a drawing, so you guys can better understand what I'm talking about. EDIT: For now I have uploaded a temporary picture so you guys can understand better, since I'm pretty bad at explanation in general.

Edited April 3, 2015 by hieywiey

[hieywiey]

Ok, just wanted to remind you guys that I am open to any suggestions and will gladly accept/consider them.