![]() |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Leaving aside the debates about Mars' desirability etc ........
Zubrin and McKay have proposed statite reflectors for heating Mars. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~mfogg/zubrin.htm This concept has some problems with the stability of mirrors, and also the fact that not all of the sun is visible to the mirror, because Mars blocks the sun. Stability needs to be maintained in three dimensions, and the mirror needs to be kept flat, or at least have a controlled curvature. How about an alternative: A halo mirror. This would be a ~10,000km diameter halo shaped mirror, placed behind Mars where the gravitational and light forces balance. (This would be in a bit from the Sun / Mars L2 point). The halo width would vary according to how much heating is required, but about 30km width would give 1 million km2. Solar power reflected is about 500TW, and the solar force is about 35KN. The halo would be angled in to illuminate the night side of Mars. The angled reflection of light pushes the mirror outward, but given the angle, the hoop stress would be around 5KN. This maintains the shape of the ring. If additional hoop stress is needed, the system can be slowly rotated. In effect this creates a rigid tensional structure. A few heavy steel cables, made on Diemos, maintain the structures rigidity. (Carbon tubes could also be used, but I suspect steel is easier). If the outer steel cable is heavier than the inner cable, then this one will always be in front (nearer to Mars and the Sun), thereby maintaining the reflection angle. (The inner hoop has a small net force towards Mars, the outer hoop has no force, and the reflector has a small net force away) This concept seems easily scalable to a halo width of hundreds of kilometres. The forces are small enough to make the engineering straightforward - at least for the scale that is. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Terraforming Mars | [email protected] | Policy | 114 | July 11th 05 06:57 PM |
Terraforming Mars | Rob | Misc | 41 | March 12th 04 01:42 PM |
Terraforming Mars | Jim Coughlin | Amateur Astronomy | 65 | February 7th 04 01:05 AM |
Terraforming Mars | Roger Stokes | Science | 16 | November 25th 03 10:25 PM |