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This topic is offered for NewMars members who might wish to contribute links, images or text about how to create tunnels on Mars.
The topic is available for those who might be inspired by the challenge of excavating material from the surface of Mars, include from the walls of Craters or the slopes of mountains.
The only known and confirmed method of excavating material from the surface of Mars (or from rocks found on the surface) is the rotating tool carried by rovers.
This success shows the way forward, if a group desires to excavate a passageway into the interior of a crater wall.
A rank and file array of small drills can perform the work. The work will take time, but so would any other method of removing material.
I just heard back from Cokoino about their robot kit. They have provided instructions to operate the kit from a computer, and I am attempting to find time to allocate to that project. However, their correspondence arrives ** just ** as we are launching this new topic.
Tunnels, caves and whatever other excavations are needed on Mars are going to be performed by robots, and many of these robots are going to be supervised by humans in orbit (like the ISS at Earth >> German laboratory demo) or from safe and secure habitats on Mars.
I predict that the count of tunnels excavated on Mars by humans with Jack hammers is going to be zero.
(th)
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Post #3: SpaceNut added the name of Elon Musk and his Boring Company
http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 46#p237546
(th)
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Elon Musk's Boring TBM so far unless there are going to be other vendors for mars.
To which this is a mass to mars item along with many others that take a given level of power and or alterations before being used on mars.
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For SpaceNut re excavation topic: http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php … 46#p237546
Thanks for addition of Elon Musk and Boring Company to the topic!
If you can find time, please see if there is any public informaiton about the nature of the boring equipment Musk is using.
The reason I ask is because it might work on Mars as is.
Or perhaps some adjustments are required. At this point all we know is that the machinery can did tunnels of substantial diameter in Earth regolith.
Earth has an atmosphere with oxygen. Does the machinery use any of that oxygen? I don't think we know.
The tailings have to be moved out of the excavated space. What tools are used for that?
Is the system automated? What maintenance is required, what is checked and what is changed?
Are lubricants used for the cutting operation?
Are lubricants used inside the machine?
Can the machine be shipped in sections that weigh less than 40 tons?
Thanks again for giving the new topic a boost.
(th)
Current Status of Mars Tunneling Equipment
Conceptual Stage:
Current discussions revolve around the concept of using tunneling technology for Mars habitats, providing protection from cosmic radiation and micrometeorites, and leveraging the thermal stability of the subsurface.
Earth-based Prototypes:
Companies like The Boring Company (TBC) are developing advanced, all-electric Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for Earth-based projects (e.g., the Prufrock series, which creates a tunnel approximately 3.7m/12ft in diameter).Technology Transfer:
While TBC's current machines are unlikely to be deployed on Mars without significant modification, the technology and engineering experience gained (such as automation and faster boring speeds) are seen as foundational for developing future off-world systems.
Prototype Drills:
Research has been conducted on smaller-scale "3-meter-class Mars drill prototypes" for scientific exploration of the shallow subsurface, but these are for drilling, not large-scale tunneling for habitats.
Transportability:
A 3m-class TBM (or its segments) is considered potentially transportable by a SpaceX Starship, which has an 8m diameter cargo bay.Key Challenges for Martian TBMs
Atmosphere:
Earth TBMs use significant amounts of water for cooling and other operations, which would be a major challenge in Mars's cold, near-vacuum atmosphere.Automation:
Due to communication delays and the need for efficient pre-human construction, Martian equipment would require a high degree of automation and robotic operation.Geology & Materials:
The machines would need to be adapted to Mars's unique rock and soil conditions. Also, instead of concrete segments (which are heavy to transport), innovative methods like sintering the excavated rock or using local materials for tunnel lining would be necessary.In short, 3 m diameter equipment for Mars is an active area of conceptual development and technological aspiration, leveraging Earth-based innovations, but is not yet a developed or deployed product.
Elon Musk's Boring Company develops advanced tunnel boring machines (TBMs), like the Prufrock series, with the long-term goal of enabling underground Martian cities for radiation protection, resource extraction (ice/metals), and efficient habitat construction, potentially using Starship for transport, with Earth projects providing crucial tech and operational experience for Mars colonization needs. The technology focuses on rapid, automated tunneling, which is vital for establishing self-sufficient subterranean life on Mars, where surface conditions are harsh.
How Boring Company Tech Applies to Mars:
Radiation Shielding:
Mars' surface lacks atmosphere, exposing settlers to lethal radiation; burying habitats under Martian rock provides natural shielding.
Resource Utilization:
TBMs can excavate for essential water ice and minerals, crucial for life support and fuel.
Rapid Infrastructure:
High-speed, automated digging allows for quick creation of tunnels for transport (like Hyperloop) and pressurized living spaces, reducing human exposure to dangerous conditions.
Autonomous Operations:
Earth-based experience with "no prior site prep" TBMs (like Prufrock) prepares for robotic deployment on Mars for automated base building.Key Technologies & Challenges:
Prufrock TBMs:
Designed for rapid, continuous excavation, with capabilities to start digging immediately, a major leap from traditional methods.SpaceX Integration:
While Starship can carry heavy payloads, transporting massive TBMs (like 1,200-ton machines) poses a challenge, requiring multiple launches or lighter designs.
Atmospheric Advantage:
Mars' thin atmosphere makes underground Hyperloop tunnels ideal, as an artificial vacuum isn't needed.The Vision:
The Boring Company's work on Earth, including rapid tunneling for tunnels and loops, serves as a practical testbed for the advanced, automated digging needed for large-scale Martian settlements, fulfilling Musk's vision for a multi-planetary humanity.
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