Mars Colony Power Simulator | Hacker News Reader

Mars Colony Power Simulator

davedx.github.io

61 pointsdavedx23 comments

Suggestion: include either default values, example values, or buttons to fill in predefined scenarios. I don't know what would be typical in any given setup, and I'm not sure what a Sabatier is.

> I'm not sure what a Sabatier is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction#Manufacturin...

Methane generator, for in situ fuel production. "Sabatier reaction".

It's talking about the Sabatier process, which takes hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and puts them with a nickel catalyst and high pressure to make water and methane (useful for rocket propellant)

Thanks! Good suggestion. A few alternative “scenarios” with some presets could be nice.

If you're looking for an obsessively detailed full simulation of a Mars colony, check out mars-sim:

https://mars-sim.sourceforge.io/

And if you’re looking for something a bit more lightweight take a look at Surviving Mars, and the newly released Green Planet expansion which adds terraforming to the game.

This is a dangerous game. It's got that addictive "One more turn" quality to it, while also being in real time.

I lost most of last weekend to this game. I likely wouldn't have stopped before bedtime if my wife hadn't wanted a turn. :P

Interesting stuff!

I recommend starting the batteries out at full. Otherwise it seems you always have curtailment early on... Seems more realistic (charged batteries don't weigh any more than empty ones).

Also, what about fuel cells that run on CH4? It would be interesting to model that. How much CH4 / batteries / solar do you need to kick-start a self-sustaining Sabatier-based colony? Could CH4 storage replace battery storage?

Completely off-topic, but your assertion about the weight of charged batteries caught my attention. It would seem that E=mc^2 comes into play here. I believe charged batteries actually do weigh more than uncharged, though probably not by any measurable amount.

Depends on battery tech. Metal-air batteries, in which atmospheric oxygen (on Earth) is the cathode, weigh more when discharged.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal–air_electrochemical_cell

100 kWh are equivalent to 4e-9 kg.

Nice suggestion! I’m reading Zubrin’s Case for Mars at the moment, the different possibilities for chemical processes are really extensive. Will look into adding fuel cells.

Nice work!

For casuals it'd be nice to have a few preset scenarios, like MarsOne, some space agency proposals, The Martian, etc.

Also maybe a tool-tip to explain what a "Kilopower" is. Some RTG?

It's a really interesting concept between an RTG and a full-on small fission plant. Basically, a tiny, simplified, nuclear fission generator. There's a link at the bottom of the page. Something I learned about today!

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/201600...

Ah yes, the nuclear mushroom! :P

The brand name annoys me. Thankfully we don't call forklifts "Ton" or water treatment plants "Potable".

Thanks for that link - an interesting set of ideas! Do you have any insight if these proposed solutions have gone through further testing/green lighting? Could a power plant solution like this be used for terrestrial remote research facilities?

I noticed that power drops randomly on some days. Is this to simulate dust storms?

Looks like it. Lines 10 through 16 of https://github.com/davedx/mars-power/blob/master/src/simulat...

Yep!

Speaking of Mars, here's a way to send your name there:

https://mars.nasa.gov/participate/send-your-name/orion-first...

For distributed power generation on earth, check out https://www.homerenergy.com.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com