Long-Haul Residential Spacecraft
Types of Spacecraft
The quasi-cozy Martian mystery series envisions a number of different types of spacecraft. There are the shuttles and cargo ships that ferry passengers and goods from Earth’s surface to the Lunar Transit Station. There are similar shuttles and cargo ships that transport passengers and goods from the Mars Orbital Station down to the surface of Mars. And then there are those spacecraft that make the long journey from Earth to Mars, some utilizing the Lunar Transit Station and Mars Orbital Station, and some launching and landing from the planet surfaces themselves.
In Murder on the Way to Mars, the new UTM Marshals Service crew members are traveling to Mars in the Axiom, a long-haul residential spacecraft. The Axiom’s sister ship, the Olympian, is not mentioned in the first book, but it also makes regularly scheduled trips to Mars and back. Both spacecraft are relatively slow, taking seven to nine months to get from one planet to the other.
In future stories in the series, other spacecraft are introduced that travel faster, taking into consideration advances in interplanetary propulsion. There are cargo ships that make the trip in two or three months and smaller transport ships, primarily military, that can get from Earth to Mars in less than a week. There are also ships used to move quickly around Mars itself, since aircraft won’t work in the thin Martian atmosphere. Stay tuned for more books to come!
The Purpose of Long-Haulers
The Axiom and the Olympian are the only existing long-haul residential spacecraft designed to transport large numbers of travelers who are relocating to Mars. They’re also used by Martian residents to return to Earth, although these return trips are usually much less crowded. Occasionally, visitors on an extended holiday may also take a long-hauler. Since the Earth-Mars proximity window only comes around approximately every 2-1/2 years, both spacecraft must leave Earth within a few weeks of each other. Travelers can book passage to Mars on whichever ship is heading out first during this window, spend a few weeks on Mars, and then catch a return trip on the later ship heading back to Earth.
The extended time it takes to get from one planet to the other is considered a benefit, especially for those who have spent a long time on one planet and then intend to live on the other. Mars has about 38% of the gravity of Earth. There are physiological changes that must happen to make a healthy transition. Muscular, skeletal, and cardio-pulmonary systems all need to adjust. The long-haul residential spacecraft are specially designed to help make that transition safely.
There are also the psychological effects to consider. Living on Mars means living in a bubble or even underground. There is no stepping outside for a breath of fresh air or walking for miles through fields or forests. This can take its toll on a person’s psyche. Living on Mars also means living in close proximity with a limited number of other people. There is no anonymity in throngs of humanity, as in Earth-based cities, and there is no moving out to some rural backwater to be on your own.
Spending 7 to 9 months on a long-haul residential spacecraft prepares travelers for this type of life and provides a professional support system for those who struggle with the transition. Imagine the physical and psychological shock it would be if a person arrived on Mars totally unprepared. In a worst-case scenario, a person could decide the Martian life is not for them and simply remain onboard for the return trip to Earth.
The Design of the Long-Haulers
Each long-haul residential spacecraft is made up of separate but interconnected sections. Each section contains a control center, a rotating habitation ring, and four spokes holding the ring to the center.
The habitation rings are 480 feet (146 m) in diameter, with the control center 150 feet (46 m) in diameter.
To simulate Earth’s gravity, the habitation rings need to rotate at a linear speed of around 58 mph (93 kph), or 3.5 RPM. As the spacecraft nears Mars it needs to gradually slow to 37 mph (60 kph), or 2.15 RPM, to simulate Mars’ gravity.
At the front of the spacecraft is a command center, also known as the main control center. The command center module attaches to the front of the first habitation ring. This is where the captain and crew navigate the ship, communicate with Earth and Mars, and control the attached habitation rings.
The first habitation ring, directly after the command center, houses the officers and crew. Any number of habitation rings may be added after that to transport travelers. In Murder on the Way to Mars, there are four habitation rings for travelers, known to the travelers as the red, orange, green, and blue sectors. the large majority of the story takes place in the blue sector of the Axiom, which is the fifth habitation ring of the spacecraft, at the far end. It is also the most luxurious of the sectors, with residential suites, a lounge-like common area, a games room, library, play center, and cruise-like services, including a 24-hour buffet. Below is a scale model of the cross-section of the blue sector habitation ring.
