- #1
mikin8tor
- 4
- 1
Hi. I'm working on a science fiction story about colonization of the solar system. Asteroid way stations are an important part of the story. I want to construct a realistic scenario about how we could convert the Eros asteroid into a shuttling habitat in it's current orbit (or something close to it). The habitat should be a desirable residence for all socio-economic levels. I think this requires "very high ceilings", or wide-open spaces interior to the habitat. Something like Rama, but maybe with more topographic partitioning.
On one end is a huge mirror (mylar-like substance, generated in place?). This will focus solar energy on an optical power system that will feed into an optical system that provides intense power to an industrial complex at one end of the cylindrical body. This will power multiple systems:
1) An illumination system that will pipe light down a central longitudinal axis of the cylinder and mimic and Earth day.
2) A water purification and recycling system that will vaporize water flowing into the heated end of the asteroid, lifting it from the rotating edge to the sky-high center, where it will be fed down the central axial pipe to be distributed as controlled precipitation.
3) In conjunction with the water flow, perhaps we could do some steam turbine driving as we condense the steam to water.
A central question in this habitat is how do we manage the large internal volumes of air and water. I envision there being an atmosphere (perhaps higher O2 and lower N2 than Earth, with added He) at some tolerable level, perhaps much less than Earth sea-level.
Will there be chaotic weather systems due to the dynamics of the rotating cylinder? One fallacy that I see a lot in these discussions is to equate a spinning cylinder's "artificial gravity" with Earth gravity. They are very different animals. Earth's gravity is a field effect that falls off with the square of the distance from Earth. Our Eros gravity is an artifact of the conservation of motion, that creates a force at a surface that is rotating around a central point. This force is valid for objects that are bound to the rotating surface. The whole system is relative to the inertial frame outside of the cylinder.
One consequence of this difference is to consider the "gravity gradient" within the cylinder. Most discussions assume a linear "artificial gravity" gradient between the rotating edge (1G) and the axis (0G). This is theoretically true, but is only actualized if there is a surface at a given altitude/radius to transmit the force. Otherwise the effect on a fluid (air/water) at a given elevation (altitude/radius) will depend on interactions between the fluid particles (viscosity). This becomes a complex modeling situation. Input on modeling and control systems is appreciated.
In order to manage this, we want to define a topology for the interior rotating surface and some type of air flow management system at higher altitudes, perhaps airships with deflecting surfaces or other air deflecting surfaces tied to the axis.
Any and all input is appreciated.
On one end is a huge mirror (mylar-like substance, generated in place?). This will focus solar energy on an optical power system that will feed into an optical system that provides intense power to an industrial complex at one end of the cylindrical body. This will power multiple systems:
1) An illumination system that will pipe light down a central longitudinal axis of the cylinder and mimic and Earth day.
2) A water purification and recycling system that will vaporize water flowing into the heated end of the asteroid, lifting it from the rotating edge to the sky-high center, where it will be fed down the central axial pipe to be distributed as controlled precipitation.
3) In conjunction with the water flow, perhaps we could do some steam turbine driving as we condense the steam to water.
A central question in this habitat is how do we manage the large internal volumes of air and water. I envision there being an atmosphere (perhaps higher O2 and lower N2 than Earth, with added He) at some tolerable level, perhaps much less than Earth sea-level.
Will there be chaotic weather systems due to the dynamics of the rotating cylinder? One fallacy that I see a lot in these discussions is to equate a spinning cylinder's "artificial gravity" with Earth gravity. They are very different animals. Earth's gravity is a field effect that falls off with the square of the distance from Earth. Our Eros gravity is an artifact of the conservation of motion, that creates a force at a surface that is rotating around a central point. This force is valid for objects that are bound to the rotating surface. The whole system is relative to the inertial frame outside of the cylinder.
One consequence of this difference is to consider the "gravity gradient" within the cylinder. Most discussions assume a linear "artificial gravity" gradient between the rotating edge (1G) and the axis (0G). This is theoretically true, but is only actualized if there is a surface at a given altitude/radius to transmit the force. Otherwise the effect on a fluid (air/water) at a given elevation (altitude/radius) will depend on interactions between the fluid particles (viscosity). This becomes a complex modeling situation. Input on modeling and control systems is appreciated.
In order to manage this, we want to define a topology for the interior rotating surface and some type of air flow management system at higher altitudes, perhaps airships with deflecting surfaces or other air deflecting surfaces tied to the axis.
Any and all input is appreciated.