Posted on 11/06/2013 10:23:38 AM PST by BenLurkin
So how would a Mars truck stop work? In a nutshell, this is what SDSC proposes:
- Beams are constructed in space just like a giant erector set, according to a statement from John Strickland, SDSC chief analyst. This would be accomplished using robots on rails that could build the first part, then extend its own rails along the beam as it goes.
- Solar panels are added on to the beam to provide power;
- Components are then added according to need. Pictures from SDSC show items such as fuel tanks on the truck stop. If ambitions soared even higher, the concept could even be built upon to make a larger space colony modelled on ONeill colonies, as shown below.
(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...

We may have to do that if they decide to turn America “Blue” the only place left to turn Red will be mars...
GReasy Spoons.. In Space?
oh my.. how do ya deep fry the fries?
Dave?
Visit Gus’s Galaxy Grill. Don’t eat the Special of the Day.
Construction of this scale in space is not going to happen.
The materials just aren’t there. The ore processing abilities are just not there. Not to the scale required. Where’s quality control to test the finished product? 3D printers cannot build this in a timely manner. The power sources to run the processing and building are not there. And when the robot or robots get glitches or mechanical failures who’s around to fix them?
Pretty little picture, though.
the only way this scale can get into space is being built on the ground, and then put into orbit via gravitic lifts. Once we get these created and working safely, that will take large masses up into orbit.
That’s quite the payload.
The regular way. You just have to dodge floating balls of hot grease for an hour afterward.
Hope there’ll be a HoJo
“Get your ass to Mars...”
Hookers in space?
Dennis Hopper made a movie about something like this. He drove a space hauler full of genetically enhanced hogs. It was called Space Truckers.
never gonna happen. the availability of that much material, and the cost of mining, transporting, and fabrication rule it out.
pie in the sky. for people with a lot of imagination, and not much thinking power
The way to do it is to send unmanned vessels into Mars orbit with fuel and supplies, possibly even an emergency return vessel.
“At some space drive-in, we’ll get our kicks
And have a grilled cheese sandwich on the moon.
I won’t dare look at those Venus chicks,
For you make my palpitating heart go boom.”
—From the song “On Our Way to Mars” by Eddie Robertson (1957)
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