Mars Bean Can Hab

One of the first concepts that I developed for a mars habitat is a 'Bean Can'. This takes the so-called tuna can design to a more permanent level. The majority of the structure is constructed of steel, with solid transparent panels used as the skin. Inside, there are several stories to house colonizers, scientific equipment, greenhouses, etc. The metal frame has a cushion onto which the panels are placed. Once the habitat is pressurized, the force exerted on the panels pushes them against the cushion, creating an airtight seal.

To replace a panel, a seal (larger than the panel) is placed on the inside in contact with the horizontal and vertical steel supports. There is an extra metal frame welded to the supports to hold in the panels (not shown in renders). The old panel is destroyed from the outside and removed. A new panel is slid in at an angle and rotated. When it is appropriately fixed into place, the inside seal is removed and pressure reseals the panel.

In the picture above, you can see the main support columns inside the structure. These serve two major purposes, to hold up the floors and also to hold up the large mass of soil on the roof during construction. The lower portion of the structure is used as green/public space. The space between the outer frame and interior structure allows for panels to be easily replaced, and allows for better air flow. Sensors will be located throughout to constantly monitor the outer frame.

















The roof of this habitat has many useful features. First of all, it greatly reduces the strength requirements of the vertical members. The pressure inside this hab is about 50kPa. This means that for each square metre of roofing area, about 50KN or soil is required to be placed on the roof to prevent it from flying off (about 6m depth assuming density of concrete). It may not be practical to place enough to entirely counteract the pressure, but it will definitely be helpful to have some. The rest of the force would be carried by the vertical members. This would however require bedrock anchors to transfer the force into the ground. The soil also helps to shield residents from radiation. The roof may also act as a solar collection area, or eventually sprout antennaes.

This last picture is just a side view. The floors five metres apart and the radius of the habitat is about 16m. The plant silhouettes are a bit taller than the average human (of course we, especially future children, may be taller with the reduction of gravity)