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In what sounds like a backstory for a sci-fi B-movie, a team from the Aerospace International Research Center (AIRC) has announced plans for Asgardia, a "space nation" satellite that will operate as its own country, independent of any Earthly nation state. At a press conference in Paris this week, project leader Dr Igor Ashurbeyli outlined the philosophical, legal and scientific goals and issues of Asgardia, as well as put out a call for Earthlings to apply to be its first citizens, and help design its flag and other national symbols.
Fans of Norse mythology (or Marvel movies) will recognize the name Asgardia as stemming from the city in the skies ruled by Odin. According to Ashurbeyli, it was chosen to represent the unifying philosophy behind the project.
"It is the realization of man's eternal dream to leave his cradle on Earth and expand into the Universe," Ashurbeyli explains. "Asgardia's philosophical envelope is to 'digitalize' the Noosphere, creating a mirror of humanity in space but without Earthly division into states, religions and nations. In Asgardia we are all just Earthlings!"
Tip for Asgardia: If Matt Damon wants to use your Med Bay, let him.
takyon: Also at BBC and asgardia.space.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 14 2016, @08:17PM
Someone else (e.g. a structural engineer or a materials engineer) would look at regolith and see raw materials for construction|manufacturing.
...and, with no wind/weather, I don't see how the stuff might be categorized as "nasty".
Surely the living space will have an airlock where stuff on your boots/clothing will be dealt with.
...and, once the habitat is constructed, what's the purpose of going outside anyway?
Only one gravity well [...] Closer
Now, those -are- significant.
a large spinning ring
It needn't be a complete ring.
2 tethered chambers would do it.
...but, yeah, it will need a HUGE radius.
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