I want to develop more back ground for my science fiction
story "Felix". This isn't a
serious proposal for Martian exploration, although I do think it is plausible.
I've found "Felix"
a real struggle to write. Partly because it is a longer story than what I've
done before. However, more recently I have started to wonder about how
plausible the story is. As a fantasy/science fiction story, I don't believe
that is essential, but if I diverge too far from realism, readers would lose
interest.
Current Proposals
The proposals I've seen for travel to Mars seem to propose
some variation of the Apollo Moon project, but on a larger scale. The main
difference I see is proposals to send a cargo lander ahead with the supplies
the astronauts will need. Robert Zubrin's Mars Direct mission has the first
lander create the fuel for the return trip with resources on Mars. I think this
idea makes sense, but I think that approach can be expanded.
A New Proposal
I think that robots could be used to create an industrial
base on Mars to support the astronauts while they are on Mars and provide the
resources for their return to Earth. I haven't come across this idea anywhere,
but I'm sure that someone must have thought of it before.
I do not think the technology to send humans to Mars exists now
or can be developed any time soon. However, I do believe that robotic
technology is or soon will be capable of the tasks I foresee for them.
Using a robotic approach, the creation of a Martian base can
begin in the next few years, if the project gets the money it needs. I see the
project unfold as a series of robotic missions of different types, culminating
with a human mission to Mars.
Scout Robots
The objective of the Scout Robots is to identify and
evaluate locations for the base. I envision that several of these robots, maybe
six, would be sent to different potential sites around Mars. They will conduct
a survey of the area around the landing sites to see what resources and
opportunities are available at each site.
What they would look for are:
·
A landing area for subsequent landings, such as
a large flat plain,
·
A location for the base, such as a cave or
tunnels,
·
Raw materials needed by the base, such as water
and construction materials.
These scout robots would will need a high level of autonomy
so they can do their work in a timely manner without detailed instructions from
the Earth based controllers. Autonomy would allow them to explore caves which
could be used for the base. The surveys could take several years to complete.
Once their missions are completed, and if the scout robots
are still operational, they could be repurposed for further exploration.
Pathfinder Robot
Once a site for the base is selected, a single pathfinder
robot would be sent to the base location. The objective of the pathfinder robot
would be to act as a control tower to assist with subsequent landings.
The pathfinder robot would need the appropriate
communication equipment, such as a landing beacon. It might not need to be
mobile, although this could be valuable if the accuracy of the landing is too uncertain.
It would be set up at a location where it can easily communicate with
subsequent landers.
Prospector Robots
The objective of the prospector robots would be to do a more
detailed exploration of the vicinity of the base to identify the various resources
available. Each resource would be evaluated as to its potential as a source for
the base.
They would look at the proximity of the source, the ease of
transport, the quality of the materials, ease of extraction and other factors.
Each robot would be sent in search of a specific resource, although each would
have the capability of searches for other resources if one or more other
prospector robots are damaged or destroyed.
One option would be to provide the prospector robots with
the ability to mine and extract the raw materials.
Construction Robots
The objective of the construction robots would be to build
the base and make it operational.
The first stage of construction would be to create an
industrial plant, with equipment like 3D printers, that would any equipment
needed for creation of the Mars Base. This could include additional robots.
This would allow a substantial cost savings over building the robots on Earth
and then sending them to Mars. Building robots on Mars would allow new designs to
be sent to Mars electronically. It would also allow for the repair and
upgrading of the robots already there. Once this capability has progressed far
enough, the base will not need to rely on shipments from earth to continue to
operate.
The second stage would be to create the extraction and
fabrication facilities that will be used to build the base. This would include the
structures and other machines that are needed.
The third stage would be to create the facilities for astronauts.
These will include living quarters, farms to produce food and oxygen, and
research laboratories. The farms would likely be some form of air tight green
house. As the farms are established, the food would be sent back to Earth for
testing to ensure it is safe to eat. The base would also start to produce the
fuel that humans would need for a return trip to Earth.
Human Occupation
Once the Mars base has been fully established and
operational, a human crew can then be sent from Earth. When they arrive, they
will find a liveable base already available. They will need to bring fewer
supplies, since the industrial base set up by the robots would provide most of
their needs.
Challenges
The first major challenge for this project would be creation
of the technology need for the various robots. Since this would be primarily a
software system, the robots could be sent and start their work before they are
fully autonomous.
For the most part, the robots would be about the same size
as some of the robots that have already been sent. Therefore, the technology to
get them to the surface of Mars already exists.
The technology to build the base is only in its early
stages. This project could be added impetus to develop these technologies.
These technologies will be needed later in the project, which allows more time
for them to mature.
Finally, the technology to transport humans to Mars needs to
be developed. This may be the greatest challenge.
The Story of "Felix"
Where does Felix, the robot in my story, fit into this?
I see it as one of the scout robots. It has been repurposed after the selection
of the base and has gone on to explore unknown areas of the planet.
How do I explain why other robots were not sent to search
for Felix? I think the best explanation was that Felix has been sent to a
site that was not chosen for the base. None of the other robots were close
enough to make a search feasible. The human's transport is the first vehicle on
Mars capable of the trip. An alternative is to have one of the other scout
robots search, but it breaks down. The humans find it on their search.
Who are the astronauts in my story? I see the Mars
base as a research facility with the researchers rotated periodically. This is
similar to how the base at the South Pole operates. I had seen the two human
characters in my story as researchers who plan to return to Earth rather than
permanent colonists. One of them would have to have plans to return to Earth,
but the other could see themselves as a permanent colonist. That could affect
how he reacts to the revelation.
Does this plan seem
reasonable to you?
My goal is to develop a plausible story about Mars
exploration, so I need to know if the plan I've laid out would seem reasonable
to most readers.
While I think this approach is reasonable, I know that there
is a lot that I don't know about the possibilities and opportunities of the
technologies needed. If you can suggest changes or other places to check, I
would appreciate it.
This post is a mirror from my main blog http://www.dynamiclethargyfilms.ca/blog
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