The Worldhouse is a massive, dome-like enclosure built over a large region of a planet or moon to create a controlled, Earth-like environment. The structure would allow for a breathable atmosphere, regulated temperature, and protection from radiation and other environmental hazards. Enclosed areas could support large-scale farming to feed settlers and produce oxygen. The controlled environment would be ideal for scientific research, manufacturing, and resource extraction. Its ecosystems, cities, and agricultural zones could make a "world within a world."
It's an extension of paraterraforming, but on a much larger scale, aiming to support entire ecosystems or cities.
Examples are the domed cities in Logan’s Run, or the controlled environments of The Martian Chronicles.
Specs[]
- Made from advanced, lightweight materials such as graphene, high-strength glass, silica aerogel, or transparent polymers that can withstand external pressures and radiation. Typically envisioned as a geodesic dome or a large, continuous roof supported by columns or the planet’s natural features (e.g., craters or valleys).
- The enclosed area would have a pressurized atmosphere with Earth-like oxygen and nitrogen levels. Airlocks would control entry and exit to maintain pressure and prevent contamination.
- Solar mirrors or heaters could warm the enclosed environment, compensating for cold temperatures on planets like Mars or moons like Europa. Insulation would retain heat within the structure.
- The roof could incorporate materials that block harmful ultraviolet and cosmic radiation. Dust storms (on Mars) or surface conditions could be mitigated by the enclosure.
- Plants would be grown inside the Worldhouse for food, oxygen production, and carbon dioxide absorption. Water recycling and waste management systems would support a closed-loop life support system.
Advantages[]
- Unlike full terraforming, Worldhouses can start small and expand as technology and resources allow.
- Shields inhabitants from radiation, extreme temperatures, meteorites, and atmospheric loss.
- Provides a controlled environment for agriculture, human settlement, and industry.
- Unlike full terraforming, which alters an entire planet, a Worldhouse allows the underlying environment to remain intact.
Challenges[]
- Building a structure large enough to cover significant areas would require vast quantities of materials and advanced construction techniques.
- Maintaining pressure, temperature, and other life-support systems on a large scale would require substantial energy resources, likely from solar, nuclear, or fusion power.
- The structure would need to withstand planetary conditions, including Mars' dust storms, seismic activity, and meteor impacts.
- Transporting materials and building such a structure on another planet would require extensive space infrastructure and robotic or human labor.
Worldhouse vs. Terraforming[]
| Aspect | Worldhouse | Terraforming |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Encloses limited areas | Transforms an entire planet |
| Timeframe | Can be implemented relatively quickly | Requires centuries or millennia |
| Energy | Energy-efficient for smaller scales | Extremely energy-intensive |
| Risk | Lower risk, more contained | High risk, irreversible changes |
| Cost | High, but potentially lower than terraforming | Astronomical costs due to planet-wide effort |