Final Project

Courtney F.

Legislator:  Clyde Alexander, Representative

(Click on the image above to enlarge.)

While we grow to understand Mars as a planet, we learn to understand ourselves better as a species. The easiest route towards this goal is permanent human colonization of the Martian surface. Mars Genesis One is a Martian colony, which is complex in design, but simple in standards.

The primary source of energy for the colony is a giant solar panel. Solar energy is sufficient on Mars, but since light doesn't scatter as easily on Mars as it does on Earth do to the thin atmosphere, so the panel is black in order to absorb as much solar energy as possible at once. During Martian nighttime, the Control/Work Facility would have stored enough energy to keep the other sections of the colony working. Under the solar panel is a large probe that is dug deep into the ground in order to obtain geothermal energy from the planet's core. This device is used for a backup energy source, for some reason if the solar energy experiences some technical difficulties.

The two smallest and outermost facilities of the colony are the Recreational Facilities, designed to provide fun and entertainment for the colonists. Here, they will be able to enjoy any sports that they are interested in. They will also be able to view movies that have been sent to the planet via satellite. This way, they can also stay in touch with what goes on back on Earth. The Recreational Facilities are also a great place for socializing between the colonists. Being able to socialize with others under a relaxing or exciting atmosphere is of great importance to the colonists mentally and physically.

The slightly larger Living Facilities house the colonists. Each "home" inside the four large structures is similar to a deluxe accommodation apartment room. The colonists will be facilitated with many different luxurious attributes in their rooms. Cable and radio are even available to the colonists due to a receiving unit in the main Control/Work Facility, which receives transmission from a satellite. Stores that sell the colonists' necessities are also included in the Living Facilities. Clothes, food, drinks, and other things are available to the colonists through these stores. Each Living Facility will contain over 400 "apartment" rooms, which makes for a total of over 1600 rooms for the colonists to live in the entire colony.

The colossal Agricultural Facility is an extremely crucial factor in maintaining the colony, for it is here that the colony's food and drink source is sustained. Here, the colonists can grow crops and raise livestock for food and clothing. Juices, milk, and even fresh water can be made here.

Special recycling processes are used to make the fresh water, which has been collected in gigantic amounts from the polar ice caps. Special consideration is needed to maintain this facility, and needs the work of hundreds of people.

The three Biodomes are also of great importance. These are designed to simulate different natural environments of ecosystems on Earth, to provide the colony with diversity and natural resources. They compose of a Desert Biodome, a Rainforest Biodome, and a Marine Biodome. Each Biodome contains many different species of plants and animals, and a climate control regulator at the bottom of the domes controls the climate of each one.  Aside from the need of natural resources, the colonists can enjoy an exotic excursion to each, and scientists can visit these places for study and research. The Marine Biodome is complete with two hotels, so that scientists and visitors may enjoy a night here. The Biodomes are definitely an important addition to the colony.

The Control/Work Facility is the largest, but not the most obvious, structure. Here is where all of the government, scientists, energy management, and satellite management people work. This facility is both the heart and the brain of the colony. The government is based on free democracy, which is very similar to the U.S.'s government. It must be this way so that it can be flexible to bend to the needs of the colonists, who have come from all across the globe. Although the many different languages of these people are allowed in a casual and social manner, the prime language of the colony will be English, just like the I.S.S. There will be will be a fixed currency that the colony will use, and the manufacturing of the money will be in this facility, too. Scientists will conduct their studies in the scientific branch of the unit. Special engineers will carry out utilizing energy from the solar panels and the geothermal probe, and the useful form of these energy sources will be sent to all of the parts of the colony. Another important branch of the colony is the medical branch.  Here, the colonists are required to receive routine check-ups to make sure that they are in good health, as well as checking for dangerous levels of radiation (if any) in their bodies. Finally, there is the communications part of the facility that works the transmissions that they have received from the relaying satellite system orbiting Mars. These transmissions range from important information from Earth, as well as movies and radio signals to entertain the colonists. The Control/Work Facility is the most essential part of the colony.

The colony's design is very complex. The basic facilities and corridors that connect them are safely enclosed by a super-reinforced titanium alloy shell to protect the colonists from meteorites and UV radiation. The Biodomes are made up of a special type of transparent material that contains glass, plastic, and several different types of metal particles, as well as a thick, clear UV shield. Special corridors coherently or incoherently connect each facility and Biodome to one another. These corridors have the same type of shell that the facilities have. They're used for transporting all needed supplies throughout the colony, including colonists and energy.  Special subway-like trains are used for transporting supplies and people through the long corridors to each facility. The trains that carry supplies are located at one level, and the trains that carry the colonists are on another level, allowing for a parallel path that concurs with each other to provide convenient and prompt transportation. The location of the colony on Mars is especially important, too. It would have to be located at the equator, because the rays from the sun hit this spot most directly, meaning easier harnessing of the solar energy for the solar panels. This design for Mars Genesis One may be complex, but it is for the safety and security of the colonists, which is the most vital aspect.

Although it would take many years of hard work to construct such a complicated colony, the colonists will come to see how the hard work has truly paid off. People from all across the world would have worked together in the most massive joint venture in all of history, and will finally be able to regain a respect and appreciation for each other, all while trying to obtain a better understanding of the red planet.

Sources: 

Unit 12 - Section 3 (Location, Location, Location

Unit 12 - Section 9 (Colony Design)

Unit 12 - Section 10 (Colony Organization)

Last Updated:  09/10/01