Kalpana One: A New Space Colony Design

Abstract

We present a new orbital space settlement design for 5,000 residents, "Kalpana One." The structure is a cylinder with a radius of 250m and a length of 550m. Cylinders minimize shielding mass per unit of 1g living area compared to other feasible shapes. Aligning the rotational axis along the solar system's north-south axis provides continuous natural light through transparent end caps without moving mirrors. Wobble control is provided by a combination of exterior teleoperated robots moving weights about and weights attached to cables on motorized winches. Ten tons of lunar regolith shielding per square meter is placed inside the hull requiring greater hull strength relative to older designs but eliminating a major failure mode. Emergency power is provided by body-mounted solar cells, but primary power comes from solar power satellites beaming energy to a body-mounted rectenna. Thermal rejection is provided by a disk of thermal arrays with 450m radius outward from the hull. The 1g living area in the hull is supplemented by internal cylinders at lower g-levels for industry, storage, agriculture, retirement communities and recreation.