Calgary Space Workers Society

Underground Law Library in Texas USA

Date: November 10, 2006

Fear of the Underground

The downward movement of an entrance can create discomfort and fear if architectural qualities are not considered to change these feelings.

A number of fundamental psychological issues may present themselves including claustrophobia, fear of entrapment, panic or negative cultural and even status associations. These associations may increase the occupants’ sensitivity with an entrance design that is artificially lit, dark, confined, and/or confusing. The aspect of underground facility entrances needs designs that require an understanding that the entrance is not an isolated architectural and generally simple element of the design. Elements like a simple analog airlock with a vestibule type door or a simple foyer should be avoided. Alternately, the entrance is part of a continuum that includes the building exterior and entry approach. For example, creating an entrance that is recognizable and appealing is one aspect of the overall site and exterior design. Also, creating a spacious well sun tube lighted entrance within the building is a beginning of an overall pleasant interior layout that enhances orientation. Some techniques are to be considered that can create the transition of a relaxing environment. As one proceeds downward into an underground ramp or stairs it becomes an integral part of the entrance transition. Ramps that allow a gradual decline for all occupants can also provide access for disabled researchers or disabled visitors. Often these individuals will tend to feel dependent, disoriented, and degraded when access is not available at the main entry. Allowing mobility-impaired individuals to use main entrances makes for a more comfortable transition for all the individuals who will occupy the facility.

Thus, Compared with an above ground building, the exterior and interior design of an underground facility for the moon has a difficult set of problems for the designer.

Most or all of an underground building will not be visible by the occupants but the entrance will provide the transition and hints to the layout that will create a casual and relaxing environment that can be the key starting points to a positive experience. A facility for habitation and research on the moon, would often be placed underground to shield the radiation. Navigating and orientation can be accomplished by the creation of a structured organized layout. Only small portions of the exterior elements are visible to the occupants. These will carry additional importance to alleviate fear and create an increased feeling of well being. A designer who is sensitive to perform the requirements of the building and creating a pleasant environmental will make the transition to living underground or the moon a more pleasant experience. >

Plant Food for the Moon

By Jim Oldfield

November 23, 2006

Plants utilize nutrients in order to grow, flower, bear fruit and seed. In a natural ecosystem, nitrogen and other cycles ensure a constant supply of these nutrients from the soil, atmosphere and other living organisms. In human-based agricultural and horticultural systems, these nutrients are supplied through fertilizers. These fertilizers are composed primarily of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium bearing compounds (N-P-K), in addition to much smaller quantities of other elements. In order to use plants to support human life on the moon or in other extra-terrestrial environments, it will necessary to supply these elements. As many of them - such as nitrogen - are not abundant beyond earth's atmosphere (which is 78% nitrogen), it will probably be necessary to provide an intial supply of these elements, then augment them through local resource extraction.

Nitrogen (N) is used primarily in the manufacture of proteins, nucleic acids and hormones. If a plant has insufficient nitrogen, it will present with poor growth and yellow leaves. As nitrogen is so important to plant health, a nitrogen deficient plant will also be more susceptible to many diseases.

Phosphorus (P) is used to produce nucleid acids, phospholipids and proteins. This element drives plant growth and deficiencies present as sickly, stunted plants.

Potassium (K) is also used in protein synthesis and is reponsible for the development of healthy root systems as well as stems.

N - P - K fertilizers are typically thought of as Leaves - Flowers - Roots stimulators, when one considers the primary use of each element. Hence leaf crops, such as lettuce and spinach will require larger proportions of nitrogen than would a carrot, which would lean more heavily toward potassium as a primary fertilizer.

On earth, nitrogen fertilizer may be produced in any of the following forms: ammonia, nitric acid and ammonium nitrate. Each of these is used under different conditions, but ammonia fertilizers could prove to be too hazardous to employ in an enclosed biosphere with humans. Human and food wastes, processed through aerobic and anaerobic processes may be utilized to recycle nitrogen and other elements back into the food chain.

Some crops - especially the legumes beans and peas - have the unique ability to 'fix' atmospheric nitrogen in nodes on their root systems. In a symbiotic relationship with specific soilborne bacteria, these bacteria fix nitrogen in root nodules, providing a source of nitrogen directly to the plant. The osil may be inoculated with other bacteria to further contribute to the enclosed nitrogen cycle (see illustration, courtesy Wikipedia).

The other nutrients, phosphorus and potassium are typically applied in eart-based agriculture form processed chemicals. In a closed-cycle process such as will exist in a moon or space-based system, recycling human and plant wastes will be the most viable means of suplying these nutrients. As more people are added to this artificial ecosystem, it shall be necessary to 'import' more of these raw materials into the loop.

Jim Oldfield lives in Calgary Alberta and dreams of researching and vacationing beyond the reaches of Earth's gravity well.