Today,
let’s take a look at the 3rd design for a Martian home:
3. A
greenhouse-type structure constructed of multiple layers of plastic film, built
in such a way that visible light could get in, but infrared light (heat) could
not get back out. That type of glass is sometimes used in Earth greenhouses,
and could plastic be any more difficult?
Seems
a bit unusual, to think of living in a greenhouse. Houseplants are one thing,
but to actually live in your garden? I suppose one could get used to it, as
long as you don’t grow something that sets off your hay fever. And to avoid the
‘fishbowl’ feeling, you could erect walls in some of the more private areas,
even if those ‘walls’ were only curtains.
Have
they really thought this through? There’s still all that harsh radiation that
doesn’t seem to be considered, and will multiple layers of flimsy plastic keep
enough heat in during the Martian night? The dust on Mars gets blown around
quite a bit, despite the thin air, and settles onto everything. The rovers
using solar panels have to hunker down and conserve their energy whenever a
dust storm comes along, some of which encompass the entire planet and last for
weeks. If solar panels can’t get enough power to work, how will plants do in constant
shadow?
Not
too thrilled about this one, either. That under-ground balloon is looking
better.
Like
I said, no split-level ranches, no colonials or tudors. At least the concept of
a greenhouse is familiar, so maybe we’ll find something we can wrap our heads
around yet. You never know, the next one might be exactly what you want!
http://www.imagineeringezine.com/e-zine/mars-makeshelter.html
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