/sci/ - Science & Math

The future

However, the life support technology which holds the most promise for both sea and space settlement is bioregenerative and algae based. Spirulina algae is very nearly nutritionally complete although not possible to eat as an entire diet on account of kidney stones and related health issues. It can however safely replace a great deal of your daily nutritional requirements when eaten alongside traditional dehydrated foods, significantly reducing the storage space needed for food and providing a constant source of fresh plant protein.

Aside from being eaten it is also an astonishingly efficient carbon sink and oxygen producer, such that a biocoil needed to support six crew members could be integrated into the structure of a cylindrical habitat so that once landed, it would absorb sunlight, circulate air from the habitat through the full length of the coil and function as an organic life support system. The uses do not end there; An algae based grey water system can very efficiently recycle solid and liquid waste such that clean water is returned and the alage is nourished. If the recycling is incomplete the water can also be passed through a modest hydroponic farm, nourishing the plants (which would provide an additional source of fresh food) and comprising what is basically an aquaponic farm, but with humans eating the algae and nourishing it with their waste as opposed to fish.

Lloyd's first habitat, Biosub 1. First to rely primarily on plants (algae) for life support.

His first habitat, Biosub 1. Unique in that it was the first to use a plant based system to supply almost all of the oxygen Lloyd breathed during his 14 day stay.

....Actually, I have to respond to that.

>>4018545

>it's too expensive for the commoners to afford, and too dangerous for them to endure.

Pic: A commoner in a homebuilt undersea habitat. One of two. He's an Australian marine biologist, they aren't exactly paid like rockstars.

Ambient pressure subsea living is within anyone's grasp now. As in, ordinary people can afford a compact, shallow water undersea vacation home and even build them at home since the tech has completely matured since the 1960s and the most expensive components have all been miniaturized and commoditized such that you can buy them from Wal Mart. It's the 1atm colonies that ordinary people can't afford, but then individuals on land generally can't afford to buy a town either.

Individual residential cylinders that can be attached to the modular Atlantica colony hub will cost between $150,000 and $200,000 each, less than most middleclass houses. This is due in large part to the fact that they have less interior space (12 foot diameter, 40 feet long) but for those who aren't bothered by it, it remains cheaper than the typical land dwelling.