Mars Base Alpha

Faced with a hostile environment, I created a network of facilities that help each other overcome the challenges that Mars poses.

My approach was to try to use as many materials found on Mars as possible to solve the many challenges of colonization on Mars. Most of these important resources are found in a volcano. As such, I placed my base very close to a volcano such that it benefits from its location, specifically: (1) volcanoes can be used for geothermal energy; (2) the mantle and therefore the lava on Mars is mostly made out of silicate (SiO4); and (3) volcanoes on Mars are thought to produce Ammonia (NH3). Due to the very little tectonic action on Mars, these resources could last for millennia since the volcanoes flow indefinitely.

Buildings

1. Human Living Space
   -This is the repurposed spaceship used to fly to Mars
   -It is already radiation-proof out of necessity from the trip to Mars
   -Already equipped with heaters from space travel
   -Much of fuselage is repurposed into a laboratory
   -Old crew hatch used for rover bay, since Access Tunnels link directly to living space
2. Greenhouse
   -Gets fertilizer and water from The Factory (see below)
   -Provides food for astronauts
   -Provides oxygen for astronauts
3. Solar Panels
   -Provides energy for the heating of the spaceship and access tunnels
   -Provides energy for the Factory
4. The Factory
   -Its horizontal tubes allow for better aerodynamics and collection of ammonia
   -Takes magma from Geothermal Energy Plant and splits the silicate using electrolysis to produce oxygen and silicon
   -Takes ammonia from atmosphere and volcano and splits ammonia to produce nitrogen and hydrogen
   -Uses some excess ammonia and nitrogen as fertilizer for the Greenhouse
   -Uses some excess ammonia to start greenhouse effect on Mars
   -Makes new solar panels using silicon
   -Uses oxygen and hydrogen from magma to make water for astronauts and the Greenhouse
5. Geothermal Energy Plant
   -Collects magma using trenches
   -Trenches also protect colony from magma
   -Unlike geothermal plants on Earth, which use water, this one uses CO2 from the atmosphere
   -Takes cold CO2 and heats it underground using magma
   -The hotter CO2 is less dense than the CO2 in the atmosphere, so the hot CO2 rises and spins turbines thus creating electricity
   -Sends excess magma to The Factory
6. Electricity Storage and Conversion
   -Stores electricity from Solar Panels and Geothermal Energy Plant
   -Converts and sends electricity to Human Living Space, The Factory, and Access Tunnels
7. Air Filtration System
   -Filters dust out of air
   -Sends filtered air to greenhouse
   -Provides own energy from wind turbines in intake pipes

NOT SHOWN IN MODEL
Access Tunnels
-Located five feet or deeper underground to protect from radiation
-Are heated by excess heaters from spaceship since Mars is warmer than space
-Allow protected access to different parts of the facility

Problems And Solutions

Problem: Temperature
Short Term Solution: Heaters on ship provide astronauts with heat; tubes underground provide heated access to different parts of the facility.
Long Term Solution: Excess ammonia is released into the atmosphere, triggering a greenhouse effect that slowly warms the planet.

Problem: Radiation
Solution: Spaceship is already radiation-proof, access tunnels are at least five feet underground, which can stop most of the radiation.

Problem: Lack of Oxygen
Solution: The Factory provides oxygen to the spaceship and access tunnels.

Problem: Dust Storms
Solution: All facilities are sealed except for the greenhouse whose air is filtered by the Air Filtration System.

Problem: Food
Solution: Greenhouse provides food which is fertilized by The Factory.

Problem: Energy
Solution: Everything except the Air Filtration System, which is self powered, is powered by the Solar Panels and the Geothermal Energy Plant.

Problem: Water
Solution: Oxygen and Hydrogen produced by The Factory provide water for the Greenhouse and the astronauts.

Problem: Building Materials
Solution: Much of the materials would have to be brought from Earth, but the silicate from the lava is a key ingredient of Portland Cement which could be used for building. Also, Mars's crust is similar to Earth's in that it has iron that could be mined.