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This topic is inspired by a vision of Void, published in this forum in July of 2026.
Void's vision may be seen in this post: https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 64#p240564
In case the post is deleted, the image of interest shows an asteroid sized rubble pile as an anchor for a habitat rotating at the end of a long cable or perhaps set of cables.
This topic is about the possibility of terraforming Halley's Comet to function as a habitat. The comet is large enough to support an ambitious habitat design, possibly on the order of one of Dr. Gerard O'Neill's rotating cylinders, or perhaps two to prevent precession.
In any case, this topic is wide open for NewMars members who might wish to contribute to a collection of knowledge about this possibility.
There are plenty of facts to work with. Halley's has apparently been observed by humans for thousands of years. The last visit to the vicinity of Earth was in 1986.
The editors at Wikipedia have labored long over this collection of knowledge about Halley's Comet:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halley%27s_Comet
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This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars members.
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Post #3: Calliban on balance of resources
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Most of the mass of a rotating habitat (90%+) is divided between shielding (which can be provided by water ice), interior, which is silicates and water and atmosphere, which is oxygen, nitrogen and water vapour. The pressure shell itself will be steel, with tensile reinforcement provided by carbon and glass fibres. Halley's Comet is probably a good balance of resources. Considering that water ice is one of the most abundant substances in the universe, that is a good thing.
Last edited by Calliban (2026-07-28 16:53:50)
"Plan and prepare for every possibility, and you will never act. It is nobler to have courage as we stumble into half the things we fear than to analyse every possible obstacle and begin nothing. Great things are achieved by embracing great dangers."
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