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Topic for open discussion:
   Multi-r AWES and Gravity-Drive
Mars Colonization Energy Solution
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August 3, 2020, post by Dave Santos              [post is also in topic SkySails]
Pure Crosswind Load Motion

Had KiteShip continued R&D, they would likely be doing multi-MW scale output, but with less all-mode automation. The calculation was 2MW per person, as a rough labor standard in COTS power plants, and that FAA would in any case require a PIC (Pilot-in Command) for sense-and-avoid. NASA LaRC's NI based vision system (Austin) would have been the supervisory automation basis.

Expect SkySails to converge toward larger SS wings, consistent with Culp's findings and TUDelft's upcoming MSc Thesis. As a minimal surface with unbeatable scalability, the OL could be licensed, or an SS open-source NPW variant adopted.

The topological design variants below offer operational advantages over the SkySails initial reeling architecture: more continuous power cycle, no downwind cycle loss, no control-pod nor conductive tether dependence, and far less runaway risk (passive self-kill). Not all the details are clear in this schematic, like kPower's basic method for multi-line control, via heddle pulleys.
PureCrosswindLoadMotionFailSafeTetherRedundancy

The current best-design-concept seems to be the steepest possible ropeway loop, with gens top and bottom, and just two counter-balanced mass-cars that alternate in up-down travel. Its not quite a continuous cycle, but quite simple, with the least gear-mass to bring to Mars. Early versions of 5k vertical seem right, with up to 30k vertical max.

To: help@sti.nasa.gov <help@sti.nasa.gov>
Sent: Saturday, August 1, 2020, 09:43:24 AM CDT
Subject:         Request for Evaluation of Alternative Mars Colonization Energy Concept- Gravity Ropeways

Dear NASA STI,

Seeking closest institutional matches in Mars Colonization and Planetary Science research community for starting evaluation of using gravitational potential energy of terrain mass in various possible combinations of extraction, storage, and hybrid use. Mars has the greatest vertical terrain distances of any planet (~30km) and considerable gravity (~40% of Earth G). Gravity-driven ropeways or vehicles with regenerative capability could provide abundant energy on-demand.

The concept seems to promise strong theoretic advantages over every other option, but does not yet seem on anyone's list of Martian engineering options. Proposing initial STI Technical Memorandum be drafted in collaboration with NASA and pertinent academic and private-sector experts. Detailed preliminary notes and calculations available in active early preparation.

Thanks for STI identifying starting contacts for this, perhaps at NASA LaRC or JPL.

Best,

Dave Santos
Austin

Joe Faust
Los Angeles

kPower                            [sent image]
July 30, 2020, post by Dave Santos
Multi-r single-mast launching and landing solution  

Single center mast precludes:
  - peripheral suspension from multi-r legs,
  - operation from grass field
Single-Masted Multi-r
Solution suited for single-hill/mountain use.
July 30, 2020, post by Dave Santos
Mars colonization links

It seems that gravity-drive regen and suspended AWE have not previously been part of Mars Colonization planning, but energy scarcity has been one of the most glaring engineering gaps. Links below.

Looking next for SpaceX internal planning, which surely exists in very preliminary form, but Tesla/Musk has plentiful cash to move R&D forward even if current space-launch revenue is marginal. This could be a multi-r R&D angle, even though flying domes and mountain-masted variants are not exactly the same thing, but they are related and visually quite similar. Tesla has recently chosen Austin as its prime expansion location, and South Texas is the Mars launch-site choice, with the space base slowly taking shape.

Starting Link Set:
July 29, 2020, post by Dave Santos
Multi-r AWES and Gravity-Drive Mars Colonization Energy Solution

Alternative Mars-Colonization Energy Concept- Highest Density, Availability, and Abundance

TUDelft recently completed a student design challenge that included an AWES concept to support Mars colonization. Seasonal energy storage was found essential to bridge marginal power and high intermittency of Martian kite and solar inputs alone.

An alternative energy generation and storage approach to Martian colonization is to roll electrical-regenerating geomass-carriers down-slope across huge vertical gradients (~30km) like Olympus Mons, or the rim of Valles Marineris (~10km). The associated excavations and spoils can be used to create radiation-shielded habitable mine shafts and artificial caverns. In principle, there could be abundant high-power available, on-demand, by such a gravity-drive.

Gravitational potential energy extraction by itself is not permanently sustainable on Mars, but could effectively catalyze large-scale colonization and even terra-forming. For a perpetually sustainable cycle, Olympus Mons, again as a prime example, could be rigged as a multi-r AWES "mast" with radiating kite-driven/mass-driven cableways. Mass storage sent downhill on-demand to power colonization during calm could be returned uphill during wind events, in a sustainable energy cycle.

This may be the most viable energy-tech approach to making Mars a "second Earth".
Mars colonization