Extraterrestrial Building Design: Martian Infrastructure Utilizing In-Situ CO2-Based Polyethylene

Date

2024-12-20

Author

Koca, Emrullah

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A pivotal objective in the 21st-century space exploration is to establish human settlements on Mars, with plans to launch a crewed mission by 2050. This thesis explores the design and optimization of Martian habitats, including greenhouses, using CO₂-based polyethylene (PE) synthesized from Mars' atmosphere as a primary construction material. Addressing significant challenges posed by Mars' harsh environment – such as radiation, extreme temperatures, low atmospheric pressure, micrometeoroid impacts, low gravity, wind storms, Paschen discharge, and marsquakes – this study proposes a spherical building model optimized for material efficiency and structural resilience. Through finite element analysis (FEA), the design minimizes material use and effective radiation shielding, utilizing a two-layered structure with 0.1 m thick PE layers and an intermediate 0.5 m thick CO₂ layer for thermal insulation. An autonomous robotic arm construction system is proposed for on-site PE production and assembly, including slab printing, which is essential for long-term habitation. This innovative approach provides a viable pathway for creating habitats suited to a 539-day stay on Mars while minimizing reliance on Earth-based resources. This work offers a comprehensive structural model, balancing material sustainability with robust design strategies, to support human presence on Mars.

Subject Keywords

Mars, CO2-based Polyethylene, 3D printing, Greenhouse, Construction on Mars

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/113033

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis