Ideas for a Demo Display of
Hybrid Rigid-Inflatable Moon & Mars Habitats
by Peter Kokh
(A) FULL SCALE OR 3/4 SCALE
We need to consider the following:
- ease of erection and tear down - few people, little time
- low expense
- shipablility - volume and weight of compacted setup
- Deployment
size constraints:
- If inside deployment, model will have height restrictions (probably less than 13', maybe less than 11'), and compacted, must be able to enter through standard double doors 72" wide by 80" high
- If outside, model has to be weather tight, wind proof. One Option is to have have a host temporary shelter but that increases expense.
Multi-level models would require outdoor sites
Indoor models may be limited in floor size as well - e.g. half a model, instead of a full model.
If the exhibit is outdoors:
- the dotted line marking where the model is cut off, could have a deployable canvas wind flap
- we could show the regolith by making a lightweight outer frame of chicken wire with a tarp cover painted to simulate the Mars surface color shades
- we could have a Observation Tower or
Solar Access extension of the core protruding above
(B) TABLE MODEL (1/10TH TO 1/40TH SCALE)
This is what I think we should aim at, THIS COMING YEAR. For much less investment and much less of a logistics problem, we can put together an attention-getting winning exhibit which can be maximized to get us the following:
- feedback on design strengths, weaknesses, ommissions, problems, etc.
- a list of people with talent who may want to help building an improved and larger walk-thru
- a list of people who can get us
corporate sponsors
Then, perhaps the following year, we can field a walk-thru and based on additional feedback and support from that, can think about a permanent visitor facility embodying our ideas.
Page 1: Visual and Solar Access