Interstellar nomads
Abstract
The possibility that free-wandering comets, those not tied to the gravitational influence of any star, can support a significant human population is considered. The energy sources of such a population would be deuterium from the comets and starlight gathered by gigantic mirrors. The energy budgets of such communities and their possible social structures are addressed from an anthropological perspective. A typical grouping or tribe might comprise 500 people and be divided into bands of about 25 individuals living in spacious habitats built of cometary materials and tending a 'farm' of starlight mirrors about 30,000 km across. The bands would exchange marriageable youths and gather at intervals for community rituals.
- Publication:
-
Space Manufacturing 1983
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983spmf.conf..357F
- Keywords:
-
- Comets;
- Interstellar Travel;
- Space Colonies;
- Deuterium;
- Energy Conversion;
- Mirrors;
- Social Factors;
- Space Commercialization;
- Astronomy