Recent content by dr tom

My error, it wasn't clear that I was suggesting that tourists/students would likely opt to stay on Mars for one launch cycle -- two years. You must be right about those to whom you refer as "rich snobs." I suggest you explain to Musk, Bezos, Branson, Bigelow, etc. how foolish they are. And be...

Ejm noted that Martian soil may not be suitable for agriculture. Good point! Initial settlers will probably have to be prepared for hydroponic ag. MA suggested that two-way fuel costs would be prohibitive. A field of solar panels could provided the energy to make methane, hydrogen, and...

It may seem that I'm straying from the intended topic, Viable Mars Colony, but not really... Imagine a Mars with two kinds of colonies: 'one-way settler' colonies as M.A. suggests and 'seaport' arrival/departure colonies as I've suggested. I'd bet there would a natural selection process which...

Good point about the T handle! I'd like some input from someone with the rotational physics credentials to address the instabilities of wheel and cylinder configurations. I'd like your tether suggestion to work, I've seen it in scifys. I just wonder though... Isn't there a major ship...

M.A. I don't think we're disagreeing, we just have different visions. With launch windows opening every two years, I would envision the following: 1st window. 2-4 ships travel to Mars and establish a single colony. 2nd window. The Mars ships return to Earth, taking samples and regretful...

I like many of your suggestions. # Colonists. A couple hundred on the initial trip might be reasonable. It would make sense to describe anticipated tasks and to figure how many are needed for each task to determine firmer numbers. Trashing Spaceships. I don't like your suggestion of...

Cool World did a nice 15-20 minute U-Tube on this. A 200 ft wheel would work fine. Maybe Bigelow should be working on this. The drum or cylinder idea might seem ideal but, as is demonstrated, is not particularly stable. If the cylinder length > 1.5 diameter ( I think it is 1.5) it may...