Resources_Freedom Is Reborn by Douglas Talbott

Author:Douglas Talbott [Talbott, Douglas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-04T22:00:00+00:00

Space Command Center, Lagrange 5

"Welcome to the Space Colony Command Center, Theodore," said Jim holding out his hand. "Ben, and I have wanted to get you up here for some time. While I am not a construction engineer, I found your technology for constructing the habitat spheres quite interesting."

"Call me Theo, Jim. I have always been a minimalist in my designs and one day it occurred to me that a bubble or sphere is the ultimate in minimalism. Anyway, when will we be ready to start construction of the first 200 foot sphere?"

"We just started the final setup of the construction framework. It should be just a few more minutes, and it will be stabilized," said Jim, "I must say that it is exciting to be constructing such a large structure in space so quickly."

"When Ben asked me to consider doing this project, I did a lot of Internet research and came across two references. One was regarding the use of large inflatable balloons to reflect radio waves in the 1950s, and balloons to deploy solar cell arrays on satellites. The cost and time of constructing a traditional steel girder frame for the construction frame was just too costly and time-consuming."

Jim, "I have been looking forward to this the last few weeks. I see the telemetry indicates the construction framework is inflated and stable. Technician if everything is ready, I am turning the construction over to Theo now."

"I have wanted to do this for quite a while so let's get on with it. I see the material extractor is already connected to the construction frame. Please verify the temperature of the material and the extractor pressure."

Technician, "Material temperature 270° and climbing. The extruder pressure is at 100 foot-pounds and steady."

"Please advise me when we reach 450°."

Technician, "We are currently at 405°. Coming up on 450° and stabilizing."

"Okay, once we start the inflation of the sphere we are going to have to maintain the 100 foot-pounds of pressure to keep it inflating before it cools off and solidifies. While I designed the system to automatically maintain the pressure it has never been done in this environment, or on this scale before. Initial the expansion sequence on my mark. Mark."

Watching through the view port, I could see a bubble of sparkling material expanding rapidly. The beauty of it took my breath away. As I watched the vision faded away and I wondered what was happening.

Technician, "Mr. Truman the pressure and temperature are dropping rapidly." Outside I could see the bubble collapsing in upon itself and gasses escaping.

"Theo, any idea what happened? Just before the technician, reported problems; it seemed like the lights went out on the bubble," questioned Jim. I couldn't help but think back to the beauty of the bubble as I talked to Theo.

"That may have something to do with it, but at this time I just don't know. I thought that this would work. It's going to take me a while to review the data and see what went wrong, Jim.

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