Space mirrors could create Earth-like haven on Mars

[FLO]

Mirrors in orbit around Mars could create Earth-like conditions on a small patch of the planet's surface, according to a NASA-funded study. The extra sunlight would provide warmth and solar power for human explorers, but some experts say the mirrors may be hard to deploy.

Scientists and science-fiction authors have long dreamed of turning Mars into a more Earth-like planet for future human colonists. The process, called terraforming, involves thickening Mars's atmosphere and increasing its temperature. But schemes to transform the entire planet would take centuries and would require enormous resources.

Now, Rigel Woida, an engineering student at the University of Arizona in Tucson, US, is investigating the possibility of "terraforming" just a small patch of the planet's surface by focusing sunlight on it from orbiting mirrors.

He received $9000 to study the idea from the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) in Atlanta, Georgia, US.

The concept calls for 300 reflective balloons, each 150 metres across, arranged side-by-side to create a 1.5-kilometre-wide mirror in orbit around Mars.

Source: New Scientist

Full article Here: http://tinyurl.com/y7tma3

[Andrew*]

My, Steve, you have been doing some homework, haven't you? It's all magnificently interesting, but a bit fantastic IMHO. Space elevators thousands of miles high?!? gigantic mirrors floating in space?!? Making Mars habitable?!?

It's science fiction to me, but nevertheless an inventive idea.

Andrew

[ZOG]

I'm wondering what the balloons would be filled with given the temperatures in space, also whether they would expand and pop as the atmosphere warmed up. Can I have my 9000$ please ?

[SteelRat]

Position holding and pitch control could be interesting. Space Gimbal - cool.

Nice bit of info again Steve (regular SGL Space News Correspondent) 8)

[FLO]

Nice bit of info again Steve (regular SGL Space News Correspondent) 8)

I used to add to the Space News daily but since setting up Auntie FLO, I haven't had the time.

I'll try and post more as time goes on.

[GordonCopestake]

I can recommend Kim Stanley Robinson's books on mars for anyone interested

[SteelRat]

Would that the Trilogy books Gordon? Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars?

[GordonCopestake]

those are the ones. I was talking to an engineer from the Mars society the other month who designed under-hill featured in the books, ever detail is accurate to how they plan to do it in real life, it's a sci-fi book but is a great introduction to "how to get there" and well written

[SteelRat]

Sounds cool. Will have a look. Cheers.

[The Warthog]

The physics of space elevators was worked out years ago. I think the main problem with its implementation are cost and material. A cable going up into geosynchronous orbit would break of its own weight. The balloons could be filled with any inert gas; it wouldn't take much. The mathematics of keeping an array of balloons in areosynchronous orbit pointed at the same square kilometer all the time would be interesting, though. It would spoil the seeing for anyone using a scope at night, too.

[blinky]

If I remeber correctly it was Arthur C Clarke who first suggested space mirrors, but so far the only material strong enough is some form of Bucki Balls (No nothing to do with Buckfast ) but some exotic form of Carbon.

[GordonCopestake]

nanotechnology has the potential to create materials that are able to be strong enough to create space elevators. They are possible using modern technology but the base of the cable would need to be excessively large. Arthur C Clarke was a great visionary and had lots of great ideas that are in current use but were once sci-fi

[Astroman]

What was the name of that Russian space mirror project? Vieya or something? Twice deployed, twice failed utterly. It was partially financed by The Planetary Society I think. Again, fantasy=New Scientist.

[GordonCopestake]

Cosmos 1 was the solar sail that failed

[Astroman]

There was a solar sail from the Planetary Society, Cosmos One right, then there was a space mirror put up by the Russians to, ostensibly, enhance the growing season in Siberia or somesuch. Can't remember the name.... :scratch:

[FLO]

I have often wondered why someone doesn't put an enormous reflector into orbit capable of reflecting sunlight back to Earth, then renting daylight. Think about it, a patch of daylight ... at night 8)

I'll get my coat :?

[Jamie]

Yeh right!!!!

Like there isn't enough light pollution already???? :nono: :nono:

[FLO]

Would've thought the Scots would welcome more sunlight

[The Warthog]

In the 70s or 80s, some American police associations suggested satellites be put in orbit to reflect sunlight down into cities to brighten up the streets and, they hoped, reduce crime. Astronomers were horrified.