First, we should improve on existing earth based study habitats. It is not as grand or spectacular as space, but it is practical and economical. The risk to human life is minimized. Problems experienced on land can be solved much easier than a craft somewhere between here and the moon.

Second, enhance the research center with a science center. Visitors and students from grade school to college can enjoy these exhibits. This could be a traveling event tailored to an audience for donations. High school presentations will inspire children and improve the future of space.

Third, we should examine practical development. We can develop a basic colonization at limited risk and expense on the moon. The laboratory will ‘impact’ on the moon as an unmanned rover. Remote driving could deliver the rover near a location to meet arriving astronauts. The Delta-X rocket could be used to bring astronauts from a shuttle to the moon and return them to the shuttle. This has potential as a reusable system.

One last thought for our next effort in space exploration and colonization. We should do more development on centripetal gravity. This concept will also provide a ‘Construction Trailer’ for all future space projects. Mars would be explored from a main craft using the same methods developed for lunar exploration.

This is not the only solution, but I offer one possibility. Public interest increases with involvement. An earth based study habitat can be completed on a two (2) acre area over a four (4) year period.

In 1952, Collier's Magazine explored the possibility of long term space colonies living in rotating habitats. How close are space colonies today, forty years later? The Russians have survived in space for one (1) year without any gravity, why do we need a rotating craft? Many studies have established that zero "G" allows bone decalcification, muscle deterioration and a number of other physical detriments that must be chemically and

physically corrected. After one or two years of Zero "G", we will send our astronauts to a hostile environment with a 100 pound or more life support system on their backs and expect them to function at peak performance. If humans are planing to colonize space we must find suitable methods of replacing the gravitational effects of earth. Numerous books and articles have established that 0.5 to 1 "G" is sufficient to maintain health, but more testing has to be done. What trade-off are we facing? The rotation can be about 6 RPM (revolutions per minute) or less. This is complicated by the Coriolis effect. (see insert equations) (see graph also) (centroidal control?). Nomenclature and graphs. Centripetal force is the force applied to a body to keep it rotating about a central point. One example of this is an orbiting object. Centrifugal force is the reaction of the contents of. an object experiencing a centripetal force. (a centrifugal force acts opposite to a centripetal force). Coriolis effect is a force experienced by a change in rotational radius without changing velocity. What will it be like? The minimum surface per person is .... sq.ft.(80 sq.M) per person and the minimum volume is .... cu.ft.(240 cu.M) per person. these numbers can change .... sq.ft.(157 sq.M) and .... cu.ft.(1740 cu.M) if recycling is added. How Many People are required and how does this effect the mission? The current non-rotating space craft designs show modules that are slightly bigger than a bus and smaller than a passenger train. (shape factors, provide table or graphs.). How can I experience it without actually being there? Space construction is like building a house while standing on a wagon. Try to eat while hanging upside down, it's a new experience. Gravity is often taken for granted in the world today. Thrust vs. gear or single habitat. accelerating effects (resultant drawing comparison.). Can anything be done today? (earth bound testing)

Additional reading:.

"Go Forth and Multiply" by Lance Frazer; .

Ad Astra Mag. Jun. 1989.

Space Resources and Space Settlements"

by Gerard K. O'Neill NASA SP-428 1979

"Living Aloft" by Connors, Harrison & Akins;

NASA SP-483 1985

"An Overview of Artificial Gravity" by Ralph W. Stone

jr.; NASA SP-314 1973