Some calculations in colonizing an Asteroid such as Ceres
March 1, 2009
Lets make Ceres a case for asteroid colonization.
It is a nice big asteroid and it rotates 1/544 times per minute. If we wanted to, we could increase the rotation significantly and achieve artificial gravity with an outward centripetal force. We would naturally dig inside and live inside the outer surface of the asteroid initially. Perhaps later on we would hollow out the asteroid fully, a big spinning cylinder.
Here are some of the calculations involved:
The main equation is:
radius = gravity / 0.011 x RPM^2
Cere’s radius = (930×10^3 m diameter)/2 = 465 x 10^3 m
gravity (what we want) = 9.81 m/s^2
Plug into equation, solve for RPM. RPM = 1/22.8
The increase of rotation from 1/544 to 1/22.8 is a 24X increase.
Problem we need to consider is whether the asteroid would fly apart, how much of it is solid rock or just an almagam of a lot of smaller rocks.
Another alternative would be to perhaps build a train and train tracks that surround the asteroid. If the train went fast enough then it would be just the same as spinning the asteroid.
Also, we’ll need mirrors to magnify the sun intensity, due to the distance of the asteroid from the sun.
Earth: 1 AU, Sun intensity: 1300 watts/m^2 (what hits the ground in the summer).
Ceres 2.767 AU, Sun intensity 330 watts/m^2
A factor increase of 3.5 to 4X for growing plants would likely be needed. Perhaps even less, especially with some plant breeding or genetic engineering.
Filed under: Everything | Comments (2)
Does the lack of atmosphere help the plants with sunlight at all?
I think I already took into account the lack of atmosphere.
The atmosphere reduces the intensity that hits the ground on earth. But also, the intensity gradually fades out until it reaches Ceres.
Ceres is quite far away. Probably need a way to magnify the light, however, 330 watts/m^2 isn’t bad actually. I think that’s probably close to the intensity of indoor hydroponic farms.