Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to re: A bigger worry

Solution - Modular design
Nick Hoffman — (archived)

As with Apollo:-

A re-entry module with TPS that can be built thick or thin for different re-entry profiles

A habitation module for living in while travelling - string more together for more private space on long journeys

A command module with all the electronics to keep the mission going

A support module - string more together for failsafe backup and lmore consumables on long missions

Solar arrays - sizeable or modular scalable for different mission profiles

A heating/cooling unit - sizeable or modular scaleable, combined with good thermal insulation on all modules, allows you to set internal shirtsleeves conditions from Venus to the Asteroid belt.

With modern electronics, a single databus can link all units together with wireless comms backup. Add plug-and-play plumbing for air, water, cooling etc. Add multiple (3?) connector plugs for these sevive/comms units and you're there.

Add scaleable/sizeable propulsion modules to get places and stop on arrival.

A bit like flying Skylab to the Moon or Mars, but that's really what we should be aiming for anyway, IMHO...

(also like the 2001 Jupiter ship, but smaller, or like the Ares Mars mission)

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