Wasn't there a thread on making living space out of asteroid

[Noisy Rhysling]

Because I just got started on John Varley's Dark Lightning, about an asteroid converted to an interstellar vehicle. Nice word pictures there.

Any, some possible help for the person asking the question. Original thread is closed.

 

[DaveC426913]

Niven's idea went thusly:

Bore a hole through the long axis of the 'roid.
Fill the bore with water and plug it.
Erect solar mirrors all around, directing sunlight at it.
Start it spinning, so that it is heated evenly.
The 'roid will - given enough time and solar flux - grow molten from the outside-in.
When the heat reaches the water core, it will turn to steam. The asteroid will blow up like a balloon.
Remove the mirrors, let it cool until it returns to solid and the water vapor condenses.

You've got a nice, large interior living space, with walls only as thick as necessary. And it's already got plenty of water.
Salt to taste.

 

[DaveC426913]

Greg Bear's idea was ... novel.

Build an asteroid that is 300 kilometers long on the outside...

.. and 20 million light years long on the inside.

Won't be needing to look for more real estate any time soon.

 

[DaveC426913]

Actually, uh, what was your question?

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

Actually, uh, what was your question?

The question was in the subject line. I was hoping to help out the person who had inquired on this idea, but that thread had been closed. Got some interesting information from you in the process, thanks.