R.M.H. (Recessed Modular Habitat)

myminifactory

The Recessed Modular Habitat is designed to make the most of the available resources on Mars, minimizing the need for transported supplies and thus reducing costs. Several primary concerns must be addressed when planning a long-term mission to a hostile environment, with water, air, and food being the most pressing needs. Secondary concerns are related to the specific Martian environment, including temperature control, power generation without fuel, and defense against intense weather conditions. The proposed solutions to these concerns will be discussed in detail below. The proposed mission involves two phases, each comprising a separate launch approximately two years apart, coinciding with optimal Martian launch windows. During Phase 1, the first rocket carries essential equipment, elemental sodium, potassium nitrate, communications gear, and five robots. A suitable landing site is chosen based on proximity to polar ice deposits and geothermal activity. The robots construct the habitat while the robots excavate three large cylinders into the Martian surface, forming the superstructure of the three rooms. As this process unfolds, Robot2 gathers a substantial supply of ice from nearby ice fields, which will be melted down and mixed with sodium to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. The hydrogen is captured for short-term power generation, while the sodium hydroxide is mixed with ferric oxide from the excavation site. A generator burns hydrogen fuel to produce electricity, which in turn electrolyzes the chemical mixture to create pure powdered iron. Robot3 reconfigures the landing module into a set of rails and an electric furnace manufacturing setup. Once Robot1 has completed its first hole, Robot4 descends into the hole as Robot1 exits it. Robot4 burrows a narrow tunnel straight down to the geothermal hotspot, installing sectional pipes behind it. This pipe-laying process designates the first room as the eventual home of the geothermal steam turbine or "power plant" of the habitat. As Robot1 begins work on the second cylinder, Robot2 gathers another load of ice. Robot3 unpacks and installs the steam turbine atop the geothermal piping, and when Robot2 returns, water is fed into the system to initiate closed-cycle steam generation and bring on-site power online. Robot3 connects the factory setup to the power supply as Robot2 loads iron powder into it for melting. Robot3 boils a mixture of water, potassium nitrate, and sodium hydroxide to create a chemical sealant applied to the iron. At this point, Robot5 begins extruding molten iron across the surface of molded domes, which will form subterranean rooms. Once the domes are complete, Robot3 applies a coat of sealant while Robot2 lays sections of railing across the newly dug holes. In Phase 2, a second rocket contains the team of scientists, dehydrated food supplies, lab equipment, and furnishings for the RMH. The team lands, finishes the interiors of the habitat, and installs bunks, dining facilities, lab equipment, and bio-waste recycling equipment. Power is routed throughout, doors and hatches are installed, and finally, the domes are slid into place, completing the habitat. Sodium hydroxide produced during Phase 1 will be integrated into air scrubbers, generating a supply of sodium bicarbonate for waste-water filtration. With protection from the elements and a robust supply of water and power, the only remaining concerns are the food supply and musculoskeletal atrophy from microgravity. Several additional options exist at this point, including creating another room for a greenhouse using hydroponics to produce enough garden output to supply all team nutritional needs. Silicates could be melted to make glass for windows, and even a recreation area could be constructed. If these options are explored fully, the RMH may support manned missions indefinitely. This project was created by myself and Dan Pettit (fellow IGG developer). Due to printer maintenance, I haven't been able to complete the printed parts, but it's nearly finished, and I'll post pics very soon.