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#1 Re: Terraformation » Frequently Asked Questions - Mars Terraforming » 2016-01-31 14:43:58

Ecopoeisis (spreading bacterial life to another world)  Has already happened by the simple fact that we have introduced it both willingly and unwillingly with the rovers and other craft we sent.  Anything built on Earth can not be Decom-ed enough to remove virus  and other bacterial life, some of these can even survive unprotected in space , in hot smokers at the bottom of the sea and in the caves as deep as we can investigate.  Also both Mars and Earth have shared meteors with each other since they existed so this is not new to either world.  The big questions on Mars is 1 Is there any still alive? 2 What other kinds are there? 3 What kinds do we want to willingly introduce? 4 Can we better Decom both ways?

#2 Re: Life support systems » Use of caves-discussion » 2016-01-27 20:57:42

Your first statement "The cave will need to be into hard rock and not a porous one like what we see out in so many of the rover images." is in error No studies have been done on Mars caves as are needed), also on Earth the reason porous caves are more dangerous is (rain )-WATER causing cracks, leaks, flooding as this is not the case on Mars a porous cave will be more safe than a hard rock cave because it breathes releasing H2O as it warms.
Heat and moisture in small amounts over time the stone will strengthen as the sandstone caves in AZ USA. Native Indians place wet grasses, mud and dung on the walls, these have lasted hundreds of years.
  We need to use all resources that we bring and already have there, our waste on Mars is a resource, everything must be used composted and reused.
  I believe the biggest hazard will be sand not the lack of atmosphere or radiation, Mars has extreme sandstorms and what happens to anything sitting out in the open during this event, it gets beaten to nothing.
Cy rambles here:
Mars needs humans of diversity, out of the box thinkers who are wanting to be sent to STAY, send us, use us for the next generation of humanity. You know why? Then MORE will come no matter what, just to be there, to
look over the next ridge that no one has seen before, The challenge is life.

#3 Re: Life support systems » Use of caves-discussion » 2016-01-25 00:48:54

From a study published in the Journal Science
Radiation exposure on the surface is 30 µSv per hour during solar minimum; during solar maximum, dosage equivalent of this exposure is reduced by the factor two (2). If the settlers spend on average three hours every three days outside the habitat, their individual exposure adds up to 11 mSv per year. The Mars One habitat will be covered by several meters of soil, which provides reliable shielding even against galactic cosmic rays. Five meters of soil will provide the same protection as the Earth's atmosphere-- equivalent to 1,000 g/cm2 of shielding. With the help of a forecasting system, taking shelter in the habitat can prevent radiation exposure from SPEs. - See more at: http://www.mars-one.com/faq/health-and- … q7g3X.dpuf

Thinking on this the use of the caves would shield equipment and personnel while expanding room needed to grow plants giving a trapped air system.  A side benefit is the search for life as these would be the most likely
places to find either alive or dead.  Water is also much more likely to be found.  Factory's as on Earth could pump easily what on Earth would be pollution but on Mars be beneficial green house gases.
The shelter need not be sent from Earth saving weight.  Even putting a gas expandable building inside a cave would lessen the amount of work needed to cover a shelter with a min of 5 FT. of dirt. ( lol thats a lot of work)
I live in a underground home that was part cave before I expanded, 7 people 5 bed rooms 5 bath, very lg kit. and 4 other rooms that change as needed, my cost was less than a 2 bed room home.

#4 Life support systems » Use of caves-discussion » 2016-01-24 12:46:04

Cy M
Replies: 6

The use of caves  as shelter  both natural and man made - also machine (robotic ) possiblely pre-made.
Rad. protection, growing and storage.
Ease of construction, ability to trap breathable air, added room as needed,
low cost and light equipment.

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