That article was better than 90% of the fiction worlds that I have read about.Originally posted by atpollard:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by SGB - Steve B:
I'd love to see one on colonization of a hostile world such as Venus {as we know it- vs the pulp fiction type}.
Do you think a floating city could work on a gas giant? </font>[/QUOTE]The article makes an excellent case for it working on Venus. Don't see why it wouldn't work on a Gas Giant in the habitable zone - provided breathable air is less dense than the gas giant atmosphere (not likely - but possible.)
Quick Summary of the Article: At about 50 km, Venus atmosphere is near earth normal gravity and temperature at 1 atm of pressure. There's sufficient atmosphere above to provide shielding from cosmic rays and the solar flares. And breathable atmosphere is lighter than Vensus atmosphere - so it can provide the lift.
Other that the technology for getting the resources there, we've had pretty much what we need since the mid to late 30's (Consider the Hindenburg with breathable air instead of Hydrogen for lift.) Issues to still work out include closed ecosystems/recycling, sufficient light wieght protection from the sulphric acid in the atmosphere - and a reason for being there.
That's why I think this would make an exceptional Sci Fi setting - exotic as all get out, but with valid hard science solutions.
Steve B