Effect of environmental parameters on habitat structural weight and cost
Space-settlement conceptual designs have previously been accomplished using "Earth-normal" physiological conditions. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the habitat weight and cost penalties associated with this conservative design approach. These penalties are identified by
Selection note: Curated for rare historical structural-weight and cost trades spanning habitat populations from roughly 100 to one million, directly relevant to scaling laws and assumption transparency.
Evidence boundary: The historical analysis depends on dated materials, loads, costs, and social assumptions that were not reproduced or endorsed. It is large-population trade context, not evidence that any settlement scale is feasible or desirable.
Stable record
ntrs-19790024057
Topic
structures-shielding
Type
Contribution to a larger work
Publisher
Ames Research Center
Authors
Edward Bock; Fred Lambrou, Jr.; Michael Simon
Year
1977
Editorial state
metadata curated editorial draft
Reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
Official link checked
2026-07-25
Source-supplied abstract
Space-settlement conceptual designs have previously been accomplished using "Earth-normal" physiological conditions. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the habitat weight and cost penalties associated with this conservative design approach. These penalties are identified by comparison of conservative Earth-normal designs with habitats designed to less than Earth-normal conditions. Physiological research areas are also recommended as a necessary prerequisite to realizing these potential weight and cost savings. Major habitat structural elements, that is, pressure shell and radiation shielding, for populations of 10<sup>2</sup>, 10<sup>4</sup>, and 10<sup>6</sup> , are evaluated for effects of atmospheric pressure, pseudo-gravity level, radiation shielding thickness, and habitat configuration. Results show that broader habitable g-ranges, reduced atmospheric pressure, and detached radiation shielding all have a significant effect in reducing habitat costs. Also, a minimum cost per person is discovered for a habitat with a population of about 10<sup>5</sup>, and this cost is independent of habitat configuration.
Abstract text has not been adopted as a GShips conclusion.
What would change this record?
A newer or corrected version, a retraction, a verified duplicate, a material topic mismatch, a changed access state, or claim-level review would trigger a dated editorial update.
The historical analysis depends on dated materials, loads, costs, and social assumptions that were not reproduced or endorsed. It is large-population trade context, not evidence that any settlement scale is feasible or desirable.
Source-supplied titles, abstracts, authors, and dates may require correction against the canonical full text.
What would change this page?
A newer or corrected version, retraction, verified duplicate, material topic mismatch, changed access state, or claim-level assessment would change this record.
People, review, and conflicts
Prepared by
GShips Project
Editorial status
metadata-curated-editorial-draft
Editorial reviewer
GShips Project editorial synthesis
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pending
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Last independent review
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Last content edit
Not recorded separately
Official source or link verified
2026-07-25
Declared conflicts
The maintainer intends to explore a commercial venture based on some GShips work. No entity, outside funding, customer, sponsor, or indexed-organization relationship currently exists.