Space Habitats Should Be 1 g Shielded Space Platforms, Not on Low Gravity, Radiation Exposed Moon or Mars

Abstract

AbstractPrevious missions have subjected astronauts to confined space, weightlessness, and increased radiation. These impair astronaut comfort, performance, and future health. The exploration and future settlement of space will depend on the long‐term presence of individual humans. This requires the development of space platforms where humans can work and live in health for many years, perhaps generations. A livable space platform must provide adequate volume, gravity, and radiation shielding. This seems easier to do in deep space or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) than on the surface of the moon or Mars. Permanently habitable deep space platforms will enable scientific and technical research, space tourism, space mission preparation, space industry development, and military surveillance and operations. The first fully habitable space station would probably be in LEO for convenience and lower cost.