Basecamp Mars

1 - The Dawn of an Idea

It all started on a Sunday morning. It was 7 AM, and Jack was awake early, staring at the ceiling. It had been a restless night. Again, the same dream. A dream that he had been having for years, but this time it felt more vivid than ever. He could recall every detail after waking up, as if he had experienced it firsthand. The plan, the execution, even the technical aspects—it was all crystal clear.

Feeling a mix of exhaustion and excitement, Jack decided to get out of bed. He needed to get this idea out of his head and onto paper. After dressing up and having breakfast, Jack made his way to his study. As he looked at the miniatures he had collected over the years, his passion became evident. It was the same passion that had driven him to pursue his current job.

People around him, especially his children, had called him crazy for switching careers at his age. Sometimes Jack felt like they saw him as an old man ready for retirement. But he knew he had to follow his instincts. And so far, this young company had proven him right. Despite being one of the older members, his age had never been a hindrance. People respected his views and valued his experience. All that mattered was the shared goal they were working towards.

Seated at his desk in the study, Jack glanced out the window. The house was eerily quiet. The last of his children had moved out the previous summer, now all living their own lives. It wouldn't be surprising if he received a call from one of them announcing that he was going to be a grandfather. Although he hoped that would still be a few more years away. He glanced at the pictures on his desk—one of his three children and another of his late wife. It had been almost five years since she passed away, and while he had adapted to the practicalities of life without her, there was still a void in his heart.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Jack focused on the task at hand—the reality of his newfound challenge. He started sketching, beginning with a design for a pod. The pod was the central element of his idea, a modular structure with a consistent exterior but versatile interiors. It could serve as private living quarters, an indoor farm, a factory, research labs, community spaces, or even a shop. Shaped like a 20-sided dice, the pods would be partially buried and anchored to the surface. They could be interconnected directly or through covered walkways, reminiscent of a medieval castle's layout. The core was the most critical and protected area, surrounded by concentric rings that gradually decreased in importance and security.

The idea for the pod and its modular design came easily to Jack. In fact, it stemmed from playing a complex board game with his sons, where he spent more time arranging and stacking the dice than actually playing the game. But the real challenge lay in figuring out how to construct and transport such a massive structure. The sheer weight and complexity made traditional construction methods on Earth impractical and costly.

Suddenly, a thought struck Jack—what if they built the factory in space? It was a revolutionary idea, one that initially seemed far-fetched. However, upon reflection, he realized it could be the solution they needed. Constructing a factory in space would require a significant effort, but once established, it would streamline production and eliminate the need to transport finished components from Earth. It was a possibility he couldn't ignore.

With newfound enthusiasm, Jack delved into the concept of a space factory. It had to be a smart factory, free from outdated production methods or conventional processes taught in business schools decades ago. He envisioned a fully automated and intelligent facility, capable of continuous production and self-adjustment. It would incorporate advanced robotics, machine learning algorithms, and cutting-edge technologies to optimize efficiency and productivity. Jack believed that the key to success lay in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and automation to create a seamless workflow, eliminating bottlenecks and reducing human error.