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Space settlement design study - An overview

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 FONDAZIONE GIORGIO RONCHI
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NAVDEEP SHARMA, AMAN MAHAJAN

Space settlement design study - An overview

Estratto da: Atti della Fondazione Giorgio Ronchi

Anno LXVIII, n. 1 - Gennaio-Febbraio 2013

Tip. L’Arcobaleno s.n.c. - Via Bolognese, 54 - Firenze

2013
ANNO LXVIII GENNAIO-FEBBRAIO 2013 N. 1

AT T I
D E L L A « F ONDA Z ION E GI O RG IO RO NCHI»

EDITORIAL BOARD

Prof. Roberto Buonanno Prof. Riccardo Pratesi

Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma Dipartimento di Fisica
Monteporzio Catorne, Roma, Italy Università di Firenze, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

Prof. Ercole M. Gloria Prof. Adolfo Pazzagli

Via Giunta Pisano 2, Pisa, Italy Clinical Psychology
Prof. Emerito Università di Firenze
Prof. Franco Gori
Dip. di Fisica, Università Roma III Prof. Edoardo Proverbio
Roma, Italy Istituto di Astronomia e Fisica Superiore
Cagliari, Italy
Prof. Vishal Goyal
Department of Computer Science Prof. Andrea Romoli
Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India Galileo Avionica, Campi Bisenzio
Firenze, Italy
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Departamento de Optica
Prof. Ovidio Salvetti
Universidad de Granada, Spain
I.ST.I. del CNR
Area della Ricerca CNR di Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Prof. Irving Kaufman
Department of Electrical Engineering
Arizona State University, Tucson Prof. Mahipal Singh
Arizona, U.S.A. Deputy Director, CFSL, Sector 36 A
Chandigarh, India
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I.F.A.C. del CNR, Via Panciatichi 64 Prof. Marija Strojnik
Firenze, Italy Centro de Investigaciones en Optica
Leon, Gto Mexico
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Via Brera 28, Milano ULIS, Veurey Voroize, France

Prof. Manuel Melgosa Prof. Paolo Vanni

Departamento de Optica Professore Emerito di Chimica Medica
Universidad de Granada, Spain dell’Università di Firenze

Prof. Alberto Meschiari Prof. Sergio Villani

Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy Latvia State University, Riga, Lettonia

Pubblicazione bimestrale - Prof. LAURA RONCHI ABBOZZO Direttore Responsabile

La responsabilità per il contenuto degli articoli è unicamente degli Autori
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Tip. L’Arcobaleno - Via Bolognese, 54 - Firenze - Febbraio 2013
ATTI DELLA “FONDAZIONE GIORGIO RONCHI” ANNO LXVIII, 2013 - N. 1

VARIETY

Space settlement design study - An overview

NAVDEEP SHARMA (*)(†), AMAN MAHAJAN (*)

SUMMARY. – This paper gives a concise introduction to the space settlement. It expresses the
essential design features and crucial requirements for initiating the structural design. Considering
the previous published structures, different concepts are analyzed e.g. living area, structure, day and
night cycle, gravity, and safety etc. the hybrid design is chosen to be the most reasonable. During
the process of designing the concepts of physics behind the space settlement design were considered.
In the proposed settlement design to enhance mining activities and refining of minerals for the
manufacturing of space based infrastructure (at L5) for 10,000 residents emphasize on the structure
and certain parameters of infrastructure. The structure consists of a residential torus, four quartered
rings, a beaded torus, central cylinder and zero-g heavy manufacturing cylinder with the scope of ex-
pansion plans. The structure rotating at 0.95 rpm ensures different values of g at different structural
components. The beaded torus constituting industrial area rules the pedigree from safety point of
view whereas quartered rings incorporating agricultural activities reflect their importance in future
term stipulations. Two separated ports have been introduced to reduce redundancy in the event of
an accident. An assortment of various facilities like enhanced food production using Nutrient Film
Technique (NFT), competent power generation using solar energy, atmosphere control through
competent and proficient systems like trace contamination control system, accurate management of
waste within the settlement are great supporters to let the residents believe in its incomparability.

1. Introduction

Man has been Earth dweller for millions of years and its resources are being
used continuously which has lead to their depletion, among them one is Power.
In order to overcome the crises of power, world is shifting from hydro to solar
power. To fulfill the energy demands of the entire world; one needs a big structure
of solar panels capable of providing electric energy in giga watts. Firstly, in 1968
Dr. Peter Glaser suggested (1) to construct solar Power Satellite (SPS) contain-

(*) Dept. of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar- 143005, India. Phone :
09417932547, e-mail: dramanmahajan@yahoo.co.in
(†) Dept of Physics, Police D.A.V. Public School, Jalandhar – 144001, India. Phone:
09814210126, e-mail: navdeep2512@yahoo.co.in
140 N. Sharma - A. Mahajan

ing solar panels. In space, solar energy is 144% more than surface of Earth. Also
the factors like effect of weather and exposure time are in the favor of space. The
structures of such satellite will be very large, which requires continuous human
attention.
The second alluring factor regarding space settlement is space mining. For
example, Platinum group metals (PGMs) (2) are abundant on asteroids and even
Moon; and are scarce on the surface of Earth. So such materials can be fetched on
the Earth for various industrial applications.
Thirdly, the most logical endeavor is space tourism. People want to explore
space as a place to spend vacations and to pursue towards the goal of expanding
humankind into space
In 1869, it was the beginning of the space colonization when, first time, Ed-
ward Everett (3) used the word inhabited artificial satellite. Then, in 1920 various
writers like Bernal, Oberth, Von Pirquet, and Noordung used the word space
colonies in their books. The idea of space colony continued in the publications
by Wernher von Braun (4) in 1952. In 1961, Sagan was the first scientist to hy-
pothesize about terraforming (5) in a technical journal. After the first sponsored
studies (6) at Stanford University in 1975 and 1976, various books like “Colonies
in Space” by T. A. Heppenheimer (7) and articles were published in boosting the
idea in the aerospace technical community. Princeton physicist Gerard O’Neill
(8) in 1970’s, with the help of NASA and Stanford University showed ray of hope
for establishing a giant orbiting spaceships to act as a habitat. In 1975, Johnson
R. D. and Holbrow C. showed that orbital space colonies were practically feasible
(9). By 1976 NASA published the proceedings of a workshop examining the feasi-
bility of terraforming Mars (10). Louis J. Halle (11), formerly of the United States
Department of State, wrote in Foreign Affairs (Summer 1980) that the space colo-
nies will protect us at the time of nuclear warfare. In 2005, NASA, Chief Michal
Griffin (12) identified that the ultimate goal of space flight program will be space
colonization. Physicist Stephen Hawking (13) has said:”The long-term survival of
the human race is at risk as long as it is confined to a single planet. But once we
spread out into space and establish independent colonies, our future will be safe
and we will be able to protect humans from natural disasters like asteroid collision
or human disasters like nuclear war etc”.
Space settlement involves the creation of artificial and self-directed
biospheres, which can adapt to the conditions like surface, atmosphere, ventila-
tion, day and night cycle, and so on. In short, we can say that Space settlement
is the home away from home. The fundamental needs of people living in space
mentioned below:
i. Location of the settlement.
ii. Design Considerations (includes exterior and interior).
iii. Life Support System.
iv. Technology used to construct such a huge structure and the technology
for running the various functions of the settlement.
 Space settlement design study - An overview 141

i. Suggestive location of settlement

There are lots of options available for the settlement in space, such as:
a) On the surface: It can be the surface of Moon, Mars or of some big as-
teroid. Generally, we don’t consider other planets for settlements because of their
unfavorable conditions. Mars (14) and Moon (15) are most suitable as they have
all the necessary materials required for colonization like water, gases and metals.
b) In orbit: In fact, orbital location has nothing except few atoms per cu-
bic centimeter. There are various candidates’ locations (16, 17, 18), prominent
among them are five Lagrange libration points (19) of Earth-Moon orbit. Among
them only L4 and L5 are the points, where station keeping requirements are mini-
mum. For fulfilling the primary requirements these locations suit, as the distance
of NEA’s and Moon is very accessible from Earth. Al Globus (20) in his book
Anon, Orbital Space Colonies, explained the sweeping edge in comparison to the
surface. Overall, the idea of constructing a settlement on the surface is very much
inferior in comparison to the orbit except for the access to the materials. O’Neill
also emphasized on a colony in space as compared to the colony on the surface,
by giving the following considerations:
1. Gravity: The values of g on Moon and Mars are very less as far as the
physical aspect of human beings is concerned but very high in compari-
son to inter orbital motion. To increase the value of g on the surface is
a very tedious and expensive process. While on the free space, we can
produce pseudo-gravity by using the concept of centripetal force.
2. Solar energy: Solar energy is considered to be the first choice for power
production. In an orbit continuous, ample, reliable and free solar ener-
gy can be obtained in comparison to the surface of Mars and Moon. A
square meter of space receives around 7.5 times (21) the sunlight received
by an average square meter on the whole of the Earth.
3. Approaching the surface is More Expensive: The transport cost to get
to the Moon is about twice as high as compared to go out into free space.
Since to reach the moon from Earth, firstly, we will have to use energy in
order to escape from gravitational pull of Earth and then in the second
phase energy is required against gravitation pull of Moon. Similar is the
case of Mars and other planets.
4. Growth Potential: The settlement on the surface will easily get materials.
On the other hand, in the orbital settlements we can easily get materials
from NEO’s, which are more in variety as compared to the surface of
Moon or Mars.

ii. Design considerations

The main consideration for designing the residential area is acceleration due
to gravity. In order to fulfill the physiological needs of human beings (22) we
need value of g around one. There are various alternatives to produce g (23) e.g.
142 N. Sharma - A. Mahajan

straight line accelerated motion, heavy mass at the center of the settlement, tidal
forces by placing heavy mass on the settlement, electromagnetic field, rotation etc.
Among them rotation around an axis is considered to be one of the effective and
efficient methods to produce gravity. The value of the rate of rotation with the
radius of the big structure can be verified by using gravity calculator (24).
While designing the interior of the space settlement we take care of the
operational infrastructure and human factors, which include physiological and
psychological aspects, (9, 25) e.g area required per person, transportation cor-
ridors, safety criteria line of sight, day and night cycle, tree lining, good commu-
nity design, comfortable modern community, economical survivability, access of
entertainment, etc.

iii. Life support system

In the life support system (26), we can include pressurized and unpressur-
ized areas covering all physiological and psychological needs. The various opera-
tions and infrastructure required for the establishment of the space settlement can
be power generation, atmospheric effect, temperature control, Plantation, waste
management, water management, day and night cycle, communication etc.

iv. Technology

We will have to consider the construction sequence of the settlement. For

which we will split the construction process into various phases. First phase in-
cludes: Survey, Planning and selecting the location for the space settlement. Sec-
ond phase includes: Establishment of mining base near the location (27) so that
the materials can be obtained easily for the construction. For this we can send
Inflatable habitat to the location. In third phase we suggest initialization of the
process of construction of the proposed settlement. Then life support systems will
be established in the fourth phase.
For the completion of above phases automated construction and assembly
devices are required assisted by high-tech robotic systems. While designing the
settlement emphasis should be given on security aspects, in terms of security of
the habitat or stored data. Business development of the settlement will be based
upon the technology used inside it. Port facilities should be taken into consider-
ation as it is the business window with rest of the universe.

2. Basic designs of space settlements

Initially three feasible shapes for orbital settlements Stanford Torus, Bernal
Sphere, O’ Neill Cylinders were proposed.
The NASA-sponsored studies developed the Stanford Torus (6) having inte-
rior cross-section of about 420 feet, for the population of 10,000 people and offers
 Space settlement design study - An overview 143

large volume of atmosphere. One rpm was provided to the structure of one mile
in diameter, in order to produce constant 1 g at the end caps. For generation of
day and night cycle, sunlight is reflected by floating mirror taken above the settle-
ment. The solar power was considered to be the major source of electric energy
used inside the settlement. The Bernal Sphere (28) was also intended for the same
number of people, who would reside in the sphere positioned at the middle. At
either end of the spherical section Sunlight was directed into the interior by mir-
rors for day and night cycle. The agriculture area was designed in the banded
torus shape (for providing different climatic conditions for different crops) on
either sides of the sphere. The most striving of the space settlement designs was
O’Neill cylinder also called Island Tree (29). This design considered diameter
of four miles and length twenty miles could accommodate population up to ten
million. To provide natural light to the residents, three window areas of two miles
width, alternative to land areas of same width were provided. Agriculture and
manufacturing area is provided around the other end of every cylinder in small
ringed pods.

3. Development in the field of settlement design

Although the above designs are fulfilling the basic requirements, but they
have certain drawbacks like shielding mass, wobble control, rotational instabil-
ity, natural light exposure etc. Therefore, by considering practical possibilities,
the design must be the hybrid one. Lewis One (30) is an example of the hybrid
designs. It is a Sun synchronous cylinder, 1921m long 267m radius with flat end
caps completely shielded for cosmic rays. Cylinder is rotating at 2 rpm to provide
1-g pseudo-gravity at the rim. There are two shielded, micro-g 100 m construction
bays, out of which one is pressurized. Each is large enough to work on complete
gravity-modules with 10m radial and 20m axial clearance. Agriculture is of six
levels within the gravity-module, starting at 1/6 g and working outward in 4m
increments. For more agriculture area, additional levels may be added without
major design modifications. Like all the early settlements, an insufficient area was
allocated in Lewis one for solar energy collection. Thus, it is also under-powered.
Moreover, one of the major engineering problems in this design is that the rotat-
ing part is kept at few meters from non-rotating shielding. Contact between these
is a disastrous failure mode.
Similarly, an orbital settlement Kalpana One (31,32) was suggested by a
group of scientists, having cylindrical shape with a radius of 250m and a length
of 325m with rate of rotation 2rpm. The structure considered the wobbling effect
remedy by computerized control weights attached to cables on motorized winch-
es. Internal cylinder arrangement with low value of g is provided for industrial,
storage and agriculture.
In 2010, a paper (33) was presented on the “Tesla” Orbital Space Settlement
for mining the NEOs. The shape of the settlement is taken to be truncated torus
144 N. Sharma - A. Mahajan

having radius 397m for residential area and cylinder of height 500 m and radius
150 m at the middle for industrial activities and recreation zone. 1g is provided by
rotating torus at 1.5 rpm.

4. Basic physics behind space settlement design

To accomplish the most challenging tasks of designing the space settlement,

we need to consider laws of Physics, to provide stable, clean and healthy environ-
ment to the residents. During the stay in space, specially working in the low grav-
ity; it is obvious for a person to face physiological and psychological problems.
For the construction of better place to live in space one will have to investigate
and consider the concepts of science especially, the Physics.
1. Location of settlement: The knowledge of cosmology, planetology and as-
trometry is required for finalizing the location of the settlement. Availability of
raw materials, solar energy and transportation costs are major determinants in
deciding the location of settlement. On the whole study of astrophysics is the key
area which helps in selection criteria of location.
2. Design: While designing we need to work on the space allocation and
specified areas. We need to understand the terms like major radius, minor ra-
dius, down surface etc., by using concepts of structural physic. We require the
detailed study of the laws governing heat transfer and the transmission of sound
and light for healthy surroundings. For providing necessary temperature, humid-
ity, acoustic and lighting conditions, experimental and theoretical data of physics
is required. Concepts of structural climatology and the aerodynamics etc., are
needed for the consideration of selecting the design of structures. The knowledge
of structural mechanics is required to deal with problems of the strength, rigidity,
and stability of the structure.
As minimum line of sight required is 64m (9). Such study necessitates the
methodical knowledge of indirect measurements, trigonometry, drawing skills
and geometry to calculate this value from the structure.
Wobble control is one of the important considerations of design aspect
(31). For which one will have to study the concepts of dynamics and principles of
equilibrium.
3. Power: This aspect is pivotal in designing a space settlement. We can
consider solar power or the fission based reactors for providing power during
construction of settlement and for its daily operations. Before deciding on to one
of these alternates, we have to consider our power requirements, its production
/ transmission process, security and environmental concerns. Then in next step
we need to understand the design and working of power generation design. The
knowledge of power transmission by using various electric circuits is required.
To sum up, awareness of electrical engineering is must to solve the power related
issues of the settlement.
4. Gravity: For designing the settlement, one should have the detailed
 Space settlement design study - An overview 145

knowledge of the rotational motion, concept of gravitation, carioles forces and

the various methods to produce gravity. Graybiel (34) in 1977 suggested 1.0 RPM
rate of rotation by considering physiological and psychological factors with regard
to the human adaptation.
5. Selection of the materials: This section requires the knowledge of applied
material sciences in order to fabricate the materials having high tensile strength,
shock absorption, electric and chemical resistance, and radiation protection etc.
The sensors technology is needed for installing various sensors like gas leakage
detector, temperature detector, fire detector, humidity sensors etc at different po-
sitions of the settlement.
Creation of natural views can prevent the residents from the psychological
problems like solipsism and hysteria. For which we will have to use transparent
material while constructing the settlement. For this the knowledge of materials
like super ionic solids and properties of light like reflection, refraction, transmis-
sion etc.
6. Controlled environment: For protecting the residents from psychological
problems, like perceptual alternation (35) , establishment of healthy atmosphere
inside the settlement is desired. Thus we require to study gas laws, concepts of
pressure, fluid flow equations, chemical models, radiation balancing, and energy
transfer processes in the atmosphere etc. In addition to this various topics like
energy transformation, green house gases and their effects on environment etc.
are necessary to understand the control of humidity, temperature and climatic
changes etc. in atmosphere.
7. Day & night cycle provision: It requires knowledge of optical phenome-
non and methods of generation of artificial light with the help of LEDs or by other
means. We require to study reflection properties of mirrors and other materials.
8. Communication: Principles of communication is mandatory for the estab-
lishment of inter and intra communication network in the settlement. For accom-
plishing this, detailed study of transducers, attenuation, communication channel,
band width, optical communication, antennas etc is essential.
Thus, the importance of physics for designing the space settlement is clear.
Lot of physics is included in this growing field of designing process of the settle-
ment. It is also a cross-cutting discipline that has applications in many sectors of
settlement design as explained above.

5. Proposed design

The purposed Settlement (Fig. 1) in the Earth’s orbit at L5 is to act as a

growth base for ever expanding space business. It is envisioned as a center for an
orbit refining of extraterrestrial material and micro g heavy manufacturing.
The settlement will be endowed with safe and pleasant living conditions for
10000 full time residents. The basic structure components of space settlement are
shown in the Fig 2 to 5.
146 N. Sharma - A. Mahajan

FIG. 1
Exterior view of settlement.

FIG. 2
Space allocation in settlement.

FIG. 3
Dimensional side view of settlement.
 Space settlement design study - An overview 147

FIG. 4
Cross sectional view of settlement.

FIG. 5
Top view of settlement.

By considering per person requirement the residential area comes out to be

(100 X 10000) m2. The rotational velocity of the torus is to be 0.95 RPM so as to
produce 9.4ms-2 gravity in the living area. The width of the down surface is 168m
and height of the ceiling from down surface is 88 m.
An agricultural region constitutes four quartered rings. The processing &
storage of food products will be done in the first two rings on opposite sides due
to less gravity (4m/s2). Plantation will be done in the second set of rings, due to
greater value of gravity (6m/s2). The total down surface of these four quarter rings
is 2×105m2. In the agriculture area plantation can be increased by placing a stack
at the centre of rings.
Keeping in mind the safety factor beaded (10 capsules) industrial region
(3.4 m/s2) has been placed at a height of 150m from the residential torus. Size
of each capsule will differ from each other, depending on the area required for
that industry. All capsules will be placed at a distance of 100 to 50 m from each
148 N. Sharma - A. Mahajan

other. In case of emergency the detached capsule will be replaced with a newly
constructed capsule.
Central cylinder (radius 100 m and height 700 m) with micro gravity (≈ 1
ms–2), will be provided with four elevators have access to different operational
units. It will also host different facilities (volume 2.2×106 m3) like a docking port
at the lower end cap, water storage area, recreation, power production and distri-
bution unit and control center.
The upper part of central cylinder (height 50 m and radius 150 m) provides
storage facilities (Volume 3.5×106 m3) with docking port at the top. This portion
having micro g , will refine extra terrestrial material and manufacture the compo-
nents for future space projects.
A biaxial reflecting mirror made up of polyethylene terephthalate polyester
(36) inclined at 450 to the plain of the settlement for maintaining day and night
cycle. It has the potential to reflect up to 97% of sunlight. To ensure day, the
mirror will reflect sunlight in the torus for 14 hours followed by 10 hours night
by flipping of mirrors. During night solar panels at the back of the strip will face
the sunlight and absorb solar energy. Intensity of light can be controlled by using
electro chromic smart glass (37).

6. Infrastructure

The artificial gravity 9.4 ms-2, in residential torus will be obtained by rotating
the settlement at 0.95 rpm, by using Pulsed Inductive Thrusters (PIT)(38). These
thrusters will provide a pulse of 200 times per second by the input of 1 MW. This
rotation will provide micro g in central cylinder and value of g 5.9 ms-2 and 4 ms-2
in both sets of quarter torii of agriculture area respectively.
The selection of materials for different layers will be done by considering their
properties, so that the layers of outer wall may disperse most of the debris and ra-
diations striking the settlement. The layers of Super adobe (source – lunar soil) (39)
and Silica aero gel (source-Moon) (40) in the wall and Lead crystal glass (source-
Moon) (41) in the window will provide protection from radiations inside the settle-
ment. In addition, to the layers, the plasma shielding (42) around the periphery of the
torus will also provide protection from radiations. When the potential will be sup-
plied to the gas (Argon) it will ionize and repel the radiations by its induced magnetic
field. It will reduce the radiation intensity to less than 0.1 rem which is very less than
the acceptable radiation dosage. Consecutive layer of Nextel (43) (source – Moon)
and Kevlar-49 (44) (source – Moon and NEA) in the outer wall and lead crystal glass
(source – Moon and NEA) in the window will shield the settlement against debris.
Per person requirement of electric power (covering all needs of residential,
agriculture and industry) is taken to be 60 KW. Thus, total electric power re-
quired is 600000 KW. By using solar panel calculator (45), the required covered
area for producing this much power is 5160000 m2. For which Solar panels will
be installed on backside of the mirror (2543400 m2), central cylinder (440000
 Space settlement design study - An overview 149

m2), two agriculture rings-1 (532418.4 m2), two agriculture rings-2 (354945.6 m2),
industrial zone (345086 m2) and on the residential torus just covering the curved
surface of the basal area i.e. down surface (1002288 m2).
The volume of the atmosphere required in residential torus (volume above
down surface) is 1.1×108 m3. The partial pressure of O2-170 mmHg, N2 – 200
mmHg, CO2 – < 3 mmHg and water vapors – 7.5 mmHg, is maintained in the
settlement, sufficient enough for human survival. The volume of atmosphere re-
quired in the plantation ring is 9×106 m3. The level of carbon dioxide will be
maintained to get effective productivity from the plants due to photosynthesis by
crop plants. A variety of trace organisms may be present in the atmosphere of resi-
dential area. To ensure the health of residents, thermally re-generable activated
carbon beds (46) will be used to eliminate trace organisms. For the removal of
a broad variety of airborne organic contaminants an excellent sorbent (activated
carbon) can be used. Moreover, airborne solid organisms will be removed with
the help of high efficiency particulate air filters.
Initially, the food will be taken from earth, and after a few months, the settle-
ment will be empowered enough with crops to accomplish the food requirements
using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) (47). The plants will grow in a constant
flow of nutrient enriched water. Combination of sunlight and LEDs will be used
to provide light to plants.
As the system will be closed loop-like, it needs to be governed by recycling
of waste. Delamination technology (48) will be used to deal with wastes like
electronic components including steel, copper, aluminum and plastics. Organic
wastes will be recycled through an anaerobic digester (49) deployed in the agri-
cultural torus. Methane, formed as a side product in this digester, will be used for
household purposes. Remnant waste would be degraded using microwaves and
then dumped on the asteroids. To manage the inorganic wastes including indus-
trial wastes, a microwave incinerator (50) would be used.
Generally, we consider that the symmetrical structure would be rotationally
stable. But because the movement of people in the settlement cannot be sym-
metrical therefore settlement tends to wobble. Also, there are chances of irregular
motion in the axis of rotation of a large symmetric rotating object known as nuta-
tion (51). Symmetry of rotational objects can’t be maintained on a large scale. In
order to control violent motion we use active mass dampers (52).

7. Design features

• The quartered rings introduced can be extended to form complete to-

rus to meet the future needs. The quartered agricultural rings in between central
cylinder and residential torus tend to ease the supply of food and movement of
residents to quartered agricultural rings in case of any emergency.
• Segmented industrial sector will help in easy distribution of different in-
dustries and will facilitate detaching of any capsule in case of emergency.
150 N. Sharma - A. Mahajan

• For redundancy in the event of an accident, two docking ports are pro-
vided.

8. Conclusion

Although various proposals are there for first space settlement but, when
we consider the hybrid design of the space settlement following steps are to be
followed:
1. Check the requirement of settlement (whether it is for mining purpose
or it is for tourism purposes). Design the structure with proper size (radius) to
produce 1g or around it.
2. There should be specific location of residential area, agriculture area, in-
dustrial area and storage area. The area requirements can be calculated by taking
NASA summer study as base.
3. The location of docking ports should be specified in the structure. These
will link the settlement with the earth and other mining bases.
4. Then the selection of materials can be done which depends upon the
selection of location of the settlements. e.g.:
i) When the orbital settlement is at one of the libration points, the best
choice is to get raw materials from moon.
ii) When the orbital settlement is near the Mars, then the best choice is to
get raw materials from the surface of Mars.
iii) Similar is the case with the settlements designed in an asteroid belt.
5. The designed settlement should be according to the laws of physics.
6. The details will include exterior and interior designs with the consider-
ations of life support systems.
7. The physiological and psychological needs of human should be fulfilled
in the design.
8. While designing the settlement always keep in mind about the expansion
plans.
9. The contemplation should be given to technology for communication.
10. All the technical planning must have backup plan.

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INDEX

Announcement Pag. 3

Biology
M.S. KARIM, S.S. CHIAD, N.F. HABUBI, H.L. MANSOUR, K.A. MISHJIL,
Study of specific activities of some biological samples for selected Iraqi Governorates » 5

History of Science
D. GALLI, A. GASPERINI, S. BIANCHI, Dalla meccanica celeste alla spettroscopia
stellare - Corrispondenza tra Giovanni Battista Donati e Ottaviano Fabrizio Mossotti » 15

Materials » 85
A. HASHIM, Synthesis and Characterization of PS-BaSO4.5H2O Composites

Pattern Recognition
C.S. KUMAR, D. MANIKAVELAN, M. MURUGESAN, V.P. RAMAMURTHI, » 89
Genetic and ant colony algorithms for face recognition and detection systems

Science of Vision » 97
L.R. RONCHI, Familiarizing with color language. I - Evolution and written language

Solar Energy » 107

K.N. CHOPRA, Solar energy collectors for harnessing Solar energy. A review

Thin Films
S.S. BATROS JAMIL, H.M. FADHEL, The effect of irradiation by Cs137 and Co60 » 119
on the optical and spectral response properties of Lead Iodide thin films

S.S. CHIAD, N.F. HABUBI, Estimation of the Dispersion and Optical Parameters
of sprayed CdS Thin Films by Chemical Spray Pyrolysis at Different Substrate Tem- » 131
peratures

» 139
Variety
N. SHARMA, A. MAHAJAN, Space settlement design study. An overview

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