Better Worlds II:



Space Systems Engineering

Fundamentals, Technologies, and Projects for the 21st Century


From the Introduction:


 This is the second volume of a two-volume set about building a better life for ourselves, our community, and the world. Building is meant in both the literal sense of construction and production, and in the social sense of how people work together to reach our goals. The core ideas behind our approach can be summarized as follows:
  • Resources and energy are abundant on Earth and in space.
  • With enough knowledge and tools they can be used to build a better life.
  • With planning this can be sustainable with minimal side effects.
  • Cooperation makes it affordable. Exponential self-improvement makes it scalable.
  • Smart tools can do most of the work and make it easier.
  Volume I on Seed Factories and Self-Improving Systems covered the basics of those topics, including their history, elements of design, and a design process. It then presents several examples of such designs for use on Earth. This volume explores the very different conditions and locations in space, the transport and engineering technologies used for space, then additional projects and programs that can apply the seed factory and self-improvement approach.


Table of Contents

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International Space Station view on 19 July 2011 from Space Shuttle Atlantis. When docked, they were the largest habitable assembly in space by mass.

Chapter 1 - Basic Sciences - Physics: Units, Motion, Forces
page 2: Energy, Mechanics, Thermodynamics
page 3: Astronomy, Planetary Science, Chemistry, Life Sciences
Chapter 2 - Orbital Mechanics - Orbits, Velocity Map, Powered Flight, Mass Ratio, Staging
Chapter 3 - Propulsive Forces - Reaction from Expelled Material, External Interaction
Chapter 4 - Energy Sources - Mechanical, Chemical, Thermal, Electrical, Beam, Nuclear, Matter Conversion
Chapter 5 - Systems Engineering - In General, Life Cycle, Requirements
page 2: Functional Analysis, Allocation, Modeling, Optimization and Trade Studies, Synthesis, Work Breakdown Structure, Elements by Type
Chapter 6 - Engineering Tools - Data, Computer Hardware, Computer Software
Chapter 7 - Engineering Specialties - Aerospace, Other Specialties
Chapter 8 - Organization and Economics - Organization, Funding, Financial Analysis
Chapter 9 - Existing Programs - Government
page 2: Government (cont.), Commercial, Not-for-Profit
Chapter 10 - Future Projects - Transport, Exploration, Mining, Industrial Capacity, Manufactured Items, Energy, Engineered Environments, Communication, Entertainment

Chapter 11 - Structural Methods - Static, Dynamic
Chapter 12 - Guns and Accelerators - Mechanical, Artillery
page 2: Light Gas, Electric
Chapter 13 - Combustion Engines - Air Breathing, Internally Fueled (Rockets)
Chapter 14 - Thermal Engines - Electro-thermal, Photo-thermal, Nuclear-thermal
Chapter 15 - Bulk Matter Engines - Rotary, Coilgun, Railgun
Chapter 16 - Ion and Plasma Engines - Ion, Arcjet, Plasma
Chapter 17 - High Energy Particle Engines - Particle Rockets, External Particle Interaction
Chapter 18 - Photon Engines - Photon Sails, Photon Rockets, Photon Gun
Chapter 19 - External Force Methods - Magnetic, Gravity, Aerodynamic, Mechanical
Chapter 20 - Theoretical Methods - not currently supported by established physics
Chapter 21 - Comparisons Among Methods - Performance, Status, Cost


Chapter 22 - Design Factors - Technology, Availability, Physical, Integration, Human, Environment
Chapter 23 - Subsystem Design
Chapter 24 - Resources - Exploration Methods
page 2 - Resource Exploration - Resource Inventory
Chapter 25 - Resource Extraction - Mining: Solid, Atmospheres, Liquids, Gas Giants, Particulates, Stars | Energy: Solar, Fission, Fusion, Orbital
Chapter 26 - Processing and Fabrication - Production Control, Handling and Storage, Materials Processing, Parts Production
Chapter 27 Assembly and Construction - Assembly, Construction, Outfitting
Chapter 28 - Verification and Test
Chapter 29 - Operation and Maintenance - Operations Concepts, Tasks, Maintenance Concepts, Tasks
Chapter 30 - Recycling Methods - Waste Recycling, Closed Loop Life Support


Chapter 31 - Program Overview - Goals, Summary, Structure
Chapter 32 - Phase 0: Research & Development - Planning, Process, Sub-Phases & Tasks
Chapter 33 - Phases 1 to 3 For Earth - Locations: Starter, Network, Distributed, Industrial, Difficult, Extreme
Chapter 34 - Phase 2B: Industrial Locations for Space - Survey, Drivers, Concept, Details
page 2 - Hypervelocity Launcher
Chapter 35 - Phase 4A: Low Orbit Development - Features, Projects
page 2: - Orbital Assembly
Chapter 36 - Phase 4B: High Orbit Development - Features, Industries, Drivers, Projects, Integration, Details
Chapter 37 - Phase 4C: Inner Interplanetary Development - System Concept, High Orbit Skyhook, Inclination Station, Transfer Habitats
Chapter 38 - Orbital Mining - Rationale, Mining Steps
page 2 - Ore Types, Example Missions, Design
Chapter 39 - Processing Factory - Outputs, Process Research and Development, Factory Design
Chapter 40 - Spaceport Network - Concept, Applications, Design Parameters, Design Components, Design Issues
Chapter 41 - Phases 4D-F: - Main Belt & Trojan, Outer Interplanetary, Scattered, Hills, & Oort
Chapter 42 - Phase 5A: Lunar Development - Features, Industry Survey, Drivers, Projects
page 2 - Projects (cont.)
Chapter 43 - Phase 5B: Mars Development - Near Term: Phobos and Deimos, Mars Skyhooks, Mars Surface Systems, Long Term Development: Magnetosphere, Greenhouses, Full Atmosphere
Chapter 44 - Phases 5C-E - Venus & Mercury, Jupiter System, Outer Gas Giants
Chapter 45 - Phase 6: Interstellar Development - Nearby Interstellar, Nearby Exostellar, Farther Interstellar


Study 1 - Conceptual Design for Human Expansion - Goals and Benefits
page 2: - Conceptual Design Approach
page 3: - Requirements Analysis
page 4: - Evaluation Criteria
page 5: - Functional Analysis
Study 2 - Environment Ranges
Study 3 - Open Source Space Program


Appendix 1: Fictional Methods
Appendix 2: Reference Data


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