How could someone ground a breathable synthetic atmosphere onto a small asteroid?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
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1
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Let's say there are billions of asteroids in the galaxy, varying in size from baseballs to hunks of rock almost big enough to be dwarf planets. If someone wanted to set up a habitable location on one of the larger ones (house-sized or bigger), what kind of device and/or materials would be needed to give one of these asteroids a breathable synthetic atmosphere?
Here are some things to note:
- These asteroids will be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from small pawn shops to gigantic shopping malls to apartment complexes to maximum security prisons.
- Faster-than-light travel is used in this universe, allowing people and supplies to be moved across the galaxy in weeks rather than millions of years.
- Atmosphere must be similar to Earth. Earth-like gravity can be left up to handwavium.
science-based space atmosphere asteroids galactic
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
Let's say there are billions of asteroids in the galaxy, varying in size from baseballs to hunks of rock almost big enough to be dwarf planets. If someone wanted to set up a habitable location on one of the larger ones (house-sized or bigger), what kind of device and/or materials would be needed to give one of these asteroids a breathable synthetic atmosphere?
Here are some things to note:
- These asteroids will be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from small pawn shops to gigantic shopping malls to apartment complexes to maximum security prisons.
- Faster-than-light travel is used in this universe, allowing people and supplies to be moved across the galaxy in weeks rather than millions of years.
- Atmosphere must be similar to Earth. Earth-like gravity can be left up to handwavium.
science-based space atmosphere asteroids galactic
2
"Domes" is the first answer that comes to mind. Is that a valid answer in and of itself, or is that your assumption and you are wondering what device or materials to use in such dome construction?
â Aaron
2 hours ago
@Aaron I was kind of wondering what materials would go into any possible solution (i.e. domes).
â The Weasel Sagas
2 hours ago
1
domes are for the rich. poor will use habitation modules converted from shipping containers. Actual windows will be a sign of middle-class. Also, you will never get earth-like gravity on a natural body that is much smaller than earth. But is OK., low gravity makes it easier to move stuff around, and some people actually prefer it.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
Actually, I was talking about spectacular glass domes. A metal dome filled with tiny cramped cubbyholes will work just fine for the large number of low-skill workers. You can also have inflatable domes as (semi-) temporary housing.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
2
"Gravity must be similar to Earth" is a much bigger issue than the atmosphere; solve that one and you more-or-less get the atmosphere for free.
â Roger
2 hours ago
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
Let's say there are billions of asteroids in the galaxy, varying in size from baseballs to hunks of rock almost big enough to be dwarf planets. If someone wanted to set up a habitable location on one of the larger ones (house-sized or bigger), what kind of device and/or materials would be needed to give one of these asteroids a breathable synthetic atmosphere?
Here are some things to note:
- These asteroids will be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from small pawn shops to gigantic shopping malls to apartment complexes to maximum security prisons.
- Faster-than-light travel is used in this universe, allowing people and supplies to be moved across the galaxy in weeks rather than millions of years.
- Atmosphere must be similar to Earth. Earth-like gravity can be left up to handwavium.
science-based space atmosphere asteroids galactic
Let's say there are billions of asteroids in the galaxy, varying in size from baseballs to hunks of rock almost big enough to be dwarf planets. If someone wanted to set up a habitable location on one of the larger ones (house-sized or bigger), what kind of device and/or materials would be needed to give one of these asteroids a breathable synthetic atmosphere?
Here are some things to note:
- These asteroids will be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from small pawn shops to gigantic shopping malls to apartment complexes to maximum security prisons.
- Faster-than-light travel is used in this universe, allowing people and supplies to be moved across the galaxy in weeks rather than millions of years.
- Atmosphere must be similar to Earth. Earth-like gravity can be left up to handwavium.
science-based space atmosphere asteroids galactic
science-based space atmosphere asteroids galactic
edited 1 hour ago
asked 2 hours ago
The Weasel Sagas
982118
982118
2
"Domes" is the first answer that comes to mind. Is that a valid answer in and of itself, or is that your assumption and you are wondering what device or materials to use in such dome construction?
â Aaron
2 hours ago
@Aaron I was kind of wondering what materials would go into any possible solution (i.e. domes).
â The Weasel Sagas
2 hours ago
1
domes are for the rich. poor will use habitation modules converted from shipping containers. Actual windows will be a sign of middle-class. Also, you will never get earth-like gravity on a natural body that is much smaller than earth. But is OK., low gravity makes it easier to move stuff around, and some people actually prefer it.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
Actually, I was talking about spectacular glass domes. A metal dome filled with tiny cramped cubbyholes will work just fine for the large number of low-skill workers. You can also have inflatable domes as (semi-) temporary housing.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
2
"Gravity must be similar to Earth" is a much bigger issue than the atmosphere; solve that one and you more-or-less get the atmosphere for free.
â Roger
2 hours ago
 |Â
show 3 more comments
2
"Domes" is the first answer that comes to mind. Is that a valid answer in and of itself, or is that your assumption and you are wondering what device or materials to use in such dome construction?
â Aaron
2 hours ago
@Aaron I was kind of wondering what materials would go into any possible solution (i.e. domes).
â The Weasel Sagas
2 hours ago
1
domes are for the rich. poor will use habitation modules converted from shipping containers. Actual windows will be a sign of middle-class. Also, you will never get earth-like gravity on a natural body that is much smaller than earth. But is OK., low gravity makes it easier to move stuff around, and some people actually prefer it.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
Actually, I was talking about spectacular glass domes. A metal dome filled with tiny cramped cubbyholes will work just fine for the large number of low-skill workers. You can also have inflatable domes as (semi-) temporary housing.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
2
"Gravity must be similar to Earth" is a much bigger issue than the atmosphere; solve that one and you more-or-less get the atmosphere for free.
â Roger
2 hours ago
2
2
"Domes" is the first answer that comes to mind. Is that a valid answer in and of itself, or is that your assumption and you are wondering what device or materials to use in such dome construction?
â Aaron
2 hours ago
"Domes" is the first answer that comes to mind. Is that a valid answer in and of itself, or is that your assumption and you are wondering what device or materials to use in such dome construction?
â Aaron
2 hours ago
@Aaron I was kind of wondering what materials would go into any possible solution (i.e. domes).
â The Weasel Sagas
2 hours ago
@Aaron I was kind of wondering what materials would go into any possible solution (i.e. domes).
â The Weasel Sagas
2 hours ago
1
1
domes are for the rich. poor will use habitation modules converted from shipping containers. Actual windows will be a sign of middle-class. Also, you will never get earth-like gravity on a natural body that is much smaller than earth. But is OK., low gravity makes it easier to move stuff around, and some people actually prefer it.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
domes are for the rich. poor will use habitation modules converted from shipping containers. Actual windows will be a sign of middle-class. Also, you will never get earth-like gravity on a natural body that is much smaller than earth. But is OK., low gravity makes it easier to move stuff around, and some people actually prefer it.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
Actually, I was talking about spectacular glass domes. A metal dome filled with tiny cramped cubbyholes will work just fine for the large number of low-skill workers. You can also have inflatable domes as (semi-) temporary housing.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
Actually, I was talking about spectacular glass domes. A metal dome filled with tiny cramped cubbyholes will work just fine for the large number of low-skill workers. You can also have inflatable domes as (semi-) temporary housing.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
2
2
"Gravity must be similar to Earth" is a much bigger issue than the atmosphere; solve that one and you more-or-less get the atmosphere for free.
â Roger
2 hours ago
"Gravity must be similar to Earth" is a much bigger issue than the atmosphere; solve that one and you more-or-less get the atmosphere for free.
â Roger
2 hours ago
 |Â
show 3 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
You need to build a very robust greenhouse all around the asteroid, practically wrapping it (or the area you want to provide with atmosphere) into the structure.
If it is limited to hosting humans, you can make the greenhouse just a couple of meters high above the surface, provide adequate protection against micrometeorites and space radiation (a couple of meters of air won't stop any energetic radiation coming from space, like instead our earthly atmosphere does) and ensure that there is something providing air circulation (with very low gravity also convective motion will be limited, and you don't want to suffocate just because you were not moving and a bubble of CO2 formed around your head) and regeneration.
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
- Hollow out asteroid.
- Pump asteroid interior full of your favorite breathables until at your favorite pressure.
This could be done with our own tech and it is a good idea. Asteroids are already up there. They are fine radiation shielding. You could hollow them out with focused sunlight, letting the molten metal spill into space or have people with explosives and hammers do it 1800s style. It is not a particularly novel idea. https://www.earth.com/news/hollow-asteroids-generation-ships/
Presumably one could spin the hollowed-out asteroid to simulate gravity towards certain sections of the walls as well
â ben
31 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
FTL implies a high tech level. It is not a big stretch to assume that possessing FTL technology also means you have gravity control. With gravity control, you can retain atmosphere even on a small asteroid.
So, whatever unobtanium you use use for FTL can also be the key to gravity control and atmospheric engineering. Or you may simply assume that you also have gravity control via an unrelated technology and possibly a separate unobtanium.
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Expanding on some of the comments: if you are bestowing Earth-like gravity on these asteroids anyway, then your problem is more or less solved. Just dump an appropriate amount of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, etc. into your weirdly heavy asteroid and the gravity will retain the atmosphere. If there is a strong radiation environment (e.g. from a nearby star) you will want to consider having a magnetic field or other radiation shielding, as an atmosphere won't cut it for high-energy particles.
If you want this to be remotely science-based you should probably focus on the "handwavium" that provides the gravity you are looking for. Not that you have to fully flesh it out, but it could be made to believably solve most of the issues in creating the setting you want. In addition, if you are considering an asteroid belt or field where there are various small settlements/facilities, you should consider the increased gravitational force between the asteroids. If a decent amount of the asteroids in the solar system's asteroid belt all of a sudden became Earth-like in mass, the belt would probably accrete into one large body (and have major interaction with Jupiter, possibly colliding).
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
You need to build a very robust greenhouse all around the asteroid, practically wrapping it (or the area you want to provide with atmosphere) into the structure.
If it is limited to hosting humans, you can make the greenhouse just a couple of meters high above the surface, provide adequate protection against micrometeorites and space radiation (a couple of meters of air won't stop any energetic radiation coming from space, like instead our earthly atmosphere does) and ensure that there is something providing air circulation (with very low gravity also convective motion will be limited, and you don't want to suffocate just because you were not moving and a bubble of CO2 formed around your head) and regeneration.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
You need to build a very robust greenhouse all around the asteroid, practically wrapping it (or the area you want to provide with atmosphere) into the structure.
If it is limited to hosting humans, you can make the greenhouse just a couple of meters high above the surface, provide adequate protection against micrometeorites and space radiation (a couple of meters of air won't stop any energetic radiation coming from space, like instead our earthly atmosphere does) and ensure that there is something providing air circulation (with very low gravity also convective motion will be limited, and you don't want to suffocate just because you were not moving and a bubble of CO2 formed around your head) and regeneration.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
You need to build a very robust greenhouse all around the asteroid, practically wrapping it (or the area you want to provide with atmosphere) into the structure.
If it is limited to hosting humans, you can make the greenhouse just a couple of meters high above the surface, provide adequate protection against micrometeorites and space radiation (a couple of meters of air won't stop any energetic radiation coming from space, like instead our earthly atmosphere does) and ensure that there is something providing air circulation (with very low gravity also convective motion will be limited, and you don't want to suffocate just because you were not moving and a bubble of CO2 formed around your head) and regeneration.
You need to build a very robust greenhouse all around the asteroid, practically wrapping it (or the area you want to provide with atmosphere) into the structure.
If it is limited to hosting humans, you can make the greenhouse just a couple of meters high above the surface, provide adequate protection against micrometeorites and space radiation (a couple of meters of air won't stop any energetic radiation coming from space, like instead our earthly atmosphere does) and ensure that there is something providing air circulation (with very low gravity also convective motion will be limited, and you don't want to suffocate just because you were not moving and a bubble of CO2 formed around your head) and regeneration.
answered 1 hour ago
L.Dutchâ¦
66.1k20159311
66.1k20159311
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
- Hollow out asteroid.
- Pump asteroid interior full of your favorite breathables until at your favorite pressure.
This could be done with our own tech and it is a good idea. Asteroids are already up there. They are fine radiation shielding. You could hollow them out with focused sunlight, letting the molten metal spill into space or have people with explosives and hammers do it 1800s style. It is not a particularly novel idea. https://www.earth.com/news/hollow-asteroids-generation-ships/
Presumably one could spin the hollowed-out asteroid to simulate gravity towards certain sections of the walls as well
â ben
31 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
- Hollow out asteroid.
- Pump asteroid interior full of your favorite breathables until at your favorite pressure.
This could be done with our own tech and it is a good idea. Asteroids are already up there. They are fine radiation shielding. You could hollow them out with focused sunlight, letting the molten metal spill into space or have people with explosives and hammers do it 1800s style. It is not a particularly novel idea. https://www.earth.com/news/hollow-asteroids-generation-ships/
Presumably one could spin the hollowed-out asteroid to simulate gravity towards certain sections of the walls as well
â ben
31 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
- Hollow out asteroid.
- Pump asteroid interior full of your favorite breathables until at your favorite pressure.
This could be done with our own tech and it is a good idea. Asteroids are already up there. They are fine radiation shielding. You could hollow them out with focused sunlight, letting the molten metal spill into space or have people with explosives and hammers do it 1800s style. It is not a particularly novel idea. https://www.earth.com/news/hollow-asteroids-generation-ships/
- Hollow out asteroid.
- Pump asteroid interior full of your favorite breathables until at your favorite pressure.
This could be done with our own tech and it is a good idea. Asteroids are already up there. They are fine radiation shielding. You could hollow them out with focused sunlight, letting the molten metal spill into space or have people with explosives and hammers do it 1800s style. It is not a particularly novel idea. https://www.earth.com/news/hollow-asteroids-generation-ships/
answered 48 mins ago
Willk
93.2k22179397
93.2k22179397
Presumably one could spin the hollowed-out asteroid to simulate gravity towards certain sections of the walls as well
â ben
31 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Presumably one could spin the hollowed-out asteroid to simulate gravity towards certain sections of the walls as well
â ben
31 mins ago
Presumably one could spin the hollowed-out asteroid to simulate gravity towards certain sections of the walls as well
â ben
31 mins ago
Presumably one could spin the hollowed-out asteroid to simulate gravity towards certain sections of the walls as well
â ben
31 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
FTL implies a high tech level. It is not a big stretch to assume that possessing FTL technology also means you have gravity control. With gravity control, you can retain atmosphere even on a small asteroid.
So, whatever unobtanium you use use for FTL can also be the key to gravity control and atmospheric engineering. Or you may simply assume that you also have gravity control via an unrelated technology and possibly a separate unobtanium.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
FTL implies a high tech level. It is not a big stretch to assume that possessing FTL technology also means you have gravity control. With gravity control, you can retain atmosphere even on a small asteroid.
So, whatever unobtanium you use use for FTL can also be the key to gravity control and atmospheric engineering. Or you may simply assume that you also have gravity control via an unrelated technology and possibly a separate unobtanium.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
FTL implies a high tech level. It is not a big stretch to assume that possessing FTL technology also means you have gravity control. With gravity control, you can retain atmosphere even on a small asteroid.
So, whatever unobtanium you use use for FTL can also be the key to gravity control and atmospheric engineering. Or you may simply assume that you also have gravity control via an unrelated technology and possibly a separate unobtanium.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
FTL implies a high tech level. It is not a big stretch to assume that possessing FTL technology also means you have gravity control. With gravity control, you can retain atmosphere even on a small asteroid.
So, whatever unobtanium you use use for FTL can also be the key to gravity control and atmospheric engineering. Or you may simply assume that you also have gravity control via an unrelated technology and possibly a separate unobtanium.
answered 1 hour ago
Gary Walker
14.6k22754
14.6k22754
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Expanding on some of the comments: if you are bestowing Earth-like gravity on these asteroids anyway, then your problem is more or less solved. Just dump an appropriate amount of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, etc. into your weirdly heavy asteroid and the gravity will retain the atmosphere. If there is a strong radiation environment (e.g. from a nearby star) you will want to consider having a magnetic field or other radiation shielding, as an atmosphere won't cut it for high-energy particles.
If you want this to be remotely science-based you should probably focus on the "handwavium" that provides the gravity you are looking for. Not that you have to fully flesh it out, but it could be made to believably solve most of the issues in creating the setting you want. In addition, if you are considering an asteroid belt or field where there are various small settlements/facilities, you should consider the increased gravitational force between the asteroids. If a decent amount of the asteroids in the solar system's asteroid belt all of a sudden became Earth-like in mass, the belt would probably accrete into one large body (and have major interaction with Jupiter, possibly colliding).
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Expanding on some of the comments: if you are bestowing Earth-like gravity on these asteroids anyway, then your problem is more or less solved. Just dump an appropriate amount of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, etc. into your weirdly heavy asteroid and the gravity will retain the atmosphere. If there is a strong radiation environment (e.g. from a nearby star) you will want to consider having a magnetic field or other radiation shielding, as an atmosphere won't cut it for high-energy particles.
If you want this to be remotely science-based you should probably focus on the "handwavium" that provides the gravity you are looking for. Not that you have to fully flesh it out, but it could be made to believably solve most of the issues in creating the setting you want. In addition, if you are considering an asteroid belt or field where there are various small settlements/facilities, you should consider the increased gravitational force between the asteroids. If a decent amount of the asteroids in the solar system's asteroid belt all of a sudden became Earth-like in mass, the belt would probably accrete into one large body (and have major interaction with Jupiter, possibly colliding).
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Expanding on some of the comments: if you are bestowing Earth-like gravity on these asteroids anyway, then your problem is more or less solved. Just dump an appropriate amount of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, etc. into your weirdly heavy asteroid and the gravity will retain the atmosphere. If there is a strong radiation environment (e.g. from a nearby star) you will want to consider having a magnetic field or other radiation shielding, as an atmosphere won't cut it for high-energy particles.
If you want this to be remotely science-based you should probably focus on the "handwavium" that provides the gravity you are looking for. Not that you have to fully flesh it out, but it could be made to believably solve most of the issues in creating the setting you want. In addition, if you are considering an asteroid belt or field where there are various small settlements/facilities, you should consider the increased gravitational force between the asteroids. If a decent amount of the asteroids in the solar system's asteroid belt all of a sudden became Earth-like in mass, the belt would probably accrete into one large body (and have major interaction with Jupiter, possibly colliding).
Expanding on some of the comments: if you are bestowing Earth-like gravity on these asteroids anyway, then your problem is more or less solved. Just dump an appropriate amount of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, etc. into your weirdly heavy asteroid and the gravity will retain the atmosphere. If there is a strong radiation environment (e.g. from a nearby star) you will want to consider having a magnetic field or other radiation shielding, as an atmosphere won't cut it for high-energy particles.
If you want this to be remotely science-based you should probably focus on the "handwavium" that provides the gravity you are looking for. Not that you have to fully flesh it out, but it could be made to believably solve most of the issues in creating the setting you want. In addition, if you are considering an asteroid belt or field where there are various small settlements/facilities, you should consider the increased gravitational force between the asteroids. If a decent amount of the asteroids in the solar system's asteroid belt all of a sudden became Earth-like in mass, the belt would probably accrete into one large body (and have major interaction with Jupiter, possibly colliding).
answered 1 hour ago
ben
1163
1163
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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2
"Domes" is the first answer that comes to mind. Is that a valid answer in and of itself, or is that your assumption and you are wondering what device or materials to use in such dome construction?
â Aaron
2 hours ago
@Aaron I was kind of wondering what materials would go into any possible solution (i.e. domes).
â The Weasel Sagas
2 hours ago
1
domes are for the rich. poor will use habitation modules converted from shipping containers. Actual windows will be a sign of middle-class. Also, you will never get earth-like gravity on a natural body that is much smaller than earth. But is OK., low gravity makes it easier to move stuff around, and some people actually prefer it.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
Actually, I was talking about spectacular glass domes. A metal dome filled with tiny cramped cubbyholes will work just fine for the large number of low-skill workers. You can also have inflatable domes as (semi-) temporary housing.
â Bald Bear
2 hours ago
2
"Gravity must be similar to Earth" is a much bigger issue than the atmosphere; solve that one and you more-or-less get the atmosphere for free.
â Roger
2 hours ago