Retired Rockwell Collins Technical Fellow, David W. Jensen, has revealed an ambitious plan for transforming an asteroid into a fully-functioning rotating space habitat. This exciting proposal has been described as easy-to-understand, relatively inexpensive, and highly feasible. Divided into three main categories, Jensen’s plan outlines asteroid selection, habitat style, and mission strategy.
After careful consideration, Dr. Jensen deemed Atira, a 4.8 km diameter S-type asteroid, as the perfect candidate for this groundbreaking endeavor. The chosen habitat style is a torus, which ingeniously replicates Earth’s gravity through rotation. To construct the habitat, self-replicating spider robots and a base station would utilize materials found on the asteroid itself.
One remarkable aspect of this venture is its cost efficiency. With an estimated budget of $4.1 billion, the price tag pales in comparison to the monumental expenses of NASA’s acclaimed Apollo program. Project completion could be achieved within a mere 12 years, another stunning feat considering the magnitude of the undertaking.
Interestingly, the costs and timelines involved are well within the means of wealthy individuals with a keen interest in space exploration. This raises the possibility of a fierce competition among billionaires to establish the world’s first artificial gravity space habitat.
Jensen’s extraordinary proposal has captivated both the scientific community and the public. The potential realization of this project not only offers immense progress in space exploration but also paves the way for groundbreaking innovations and achievements in the field. As interest in space continues to surge, it is no surprise that billionaires with a passion for interstellar travel might seize the opportunity to make a lasting mark on history.
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