The Mars Acropolis

Designed by Chris Starr

About the design:
My design intent was to stray from the typical hexagonal pod design, and develop a creative blend of futuristic, yet modern stylization. The design is not altogether farfetched, as proven scientific methods, and building materials were followed, and incorporated into my design.

Taking its design style cue from the ancient Greek Acropolis, The Mars Acropolis is a three tiered structure, used to sustain a livable environment on Mars. An outer wall serves as a protective barrier to the Acropolis. The structure foundation is built atop a mixture of soil from Earth and Mars, along with concrete and steel rebar and supporting beams. The structure itself will be constructed of composite materials (possibly FRP Fiber Reinforced Plastics i.e. fiberglass, or carbon fiber), stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. The structure serves as a mass research facility, to explore and develop means for additional colonization of the planet.

• The Mars Acropolis has 3 massive greenhouses that contain a myriad of vegetation. This serves as a renewable food source, as well as forestation to produce oxygen and filter carbon dioxide.

(excerpt below from About.com http://chemistry.about.com/od/environmentalchemistry/f/oxygen-produced-by-trees.htm)

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, "a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year." Here are some other quoted figures regarding the amount of oxygen produced by a tree:

"A single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 lbs./year and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support 2 human beings."

• McAliney, Mike. Arguments for Land Conservation: Documentation and Information Sources for Land Resources Protection, Trust for Public Land, Sacramento, CA, December, 1993

"One acre of trees annually consumes the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent to that produced by driving an average car for 26,000 miles. That same acre of trees also produces enough oxygen for 18 people to breathe for a year."

• New York Times

" A 100-ft tree, 18" diameter at its base, produces 6,000 pounds of oxygen."

• Northwest Territories Forest Management

"On average, one tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. Two mature trees can provide enough oxygen for a family of four."

• The lower level of the Mars Acropolis houses oxygen generators, and supply tanks. This also is the nerve center for mainframe for all computers, and terminals. Climate control is also located at this level, to maintain a comfortable and livable environment. Decompression chambers between entrances to the main facility and oxygen filtration systems for personnel entering the facility. A garage to house terrain vehicles.

• The second level contains the landing dock, and hangar for shuttles. This level also serves as living quarters, and laboratories for both scientists and astronauts.

• The third level serves as an observation outpost, communications, and control center for operations, and flights.

• A massive fresh water reservoir sits atop the third level. Water is treated in the lower level, and is regulated throughout the facility. Due to the water vapor contained in the Martian atmosphere, that vapor can be harnessed into usable liquid water, where the condensation is collected from the water vapor, which is filtered back into the reservoir. A similar collection method is obtained from the vegetation located in the greenhouse, that is then recycled for the vegetation itself. Intricate piping exists above the vegetation, to periodically mist the vegetation.

• The structure would need tested through MISSE (Materials International Space Station Experiment) to ensure that building materials can withstand the Martian environment, have all of the appropriate seals around all ports (including doors, windows, hatches etc.) to protect and sustain habitable living conditions.

• Each level contains large view windows, which are solar panels to harness power for the generators in the 1st level. Having large, multiple panels throughout the facility ensure maximum solar power harvesting for the facility.

About the model: The overall size of the model is roughly 3-15/16in L x 3-15/16in W x 2-11/32in H. This particular size was chosen to fit within the printable volume on the MakerBot Mini (10cm L x 10cm W x 12.5cm H). The printed model had taken roughly 2 ½ hours to print. Be sure to center the digital model onto the platform, and print model from bottom of the base, up. For simplicity reasons, this is all one piece. I also created an optional shuttle model that can be used with the display model, or used as a toy play set. Please keep in mind, that the shuttle pieces are small, and may pose a choking hazard to small children. No need to create additional add on pieces (with the exception of the optional shuttle models to compliment the Mars Acropolis model. I printed 3 shuttles in roughly 3 minutes). I tested the initial print using translucent PLA filament. It displays nicely. Other filament colors will emphasize more detail, or can be hand painted and detailed. I would suggest coating with a primer, and using fine detail modeling brushes, and model paint.

File name(s):
For the Mars Base Design

MakerBotMars_Mars Acropolis.STL

(Optional) For Shuttle Model to print and use with Mars Acropolis

MakerBotMars_Mars Shuttle_Optional_for Mars Acropolis.STL

Thanks for your consideration, and best of luck to all who entered!