The Kilometer Diameter Pod Concept (KDP) is an attempt to quantify how much usable space there is in a pod 1 KM in diameter.
Statistics:
Diameter: 1 KM (1000 M)
Showing posts with label Interstellar Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interstellar Travel. Show all posts
Colony Ship - Mile Diameter Pod Concept
A pod with a diameter, for the sake of this entry it is supposed that the outside of the pod is not included in this diameter.
Statistics:
Diameter (usable): 1 mile, 5280 ft
See Also:
Kilometer Diameter Pod Concept
Statistics:
Diameter (usable): 1 mile, 5280 ft
See Also:
Kilometer Diameter Pod Concept
Interstellar Travel - Colony Ship
A Colony Ship is a type of spaceship specifically designed to transport a large enough population of Humans to a far location and enable them to survive of their own accord.
Concepts
Pods
This design supposes a main framework that is the Colony Ship, with the ability to attach "pods" to the framework and connect them as needed. This would allow for the customization of the ship through time, and permit a greater range of functions depending on how many pods were brought.
A list of typical pods:
Living Quarters
Government
Agriculture
Medical
Food Service
Entertainment
Communications
Water
There are many other possibilities, and functions from pods might be interchangeable - so a Food Service pod might end up with some Entertainment units, or an Agricultural/Water Storage pod. The exact size of the pod would determine the ultimate customization level.
Large Pods
A large pod might have a diameter of a mile or more. This entry explores the possible composition of a mile diameter pod.
Concepts
Pods
This design supposes a main framework that is the Colony Ship, with the ability to attach "pods" to the framework and connect them as needed. This would allow for the customization of the ship through time, and permit a greater range of functions depending on how many pods were brought.
A list of typical pods:
Living Quarters
Government
Agriculture
Medical
Food Service
Entertainment
Communications
Water
There are many other possibilities, and functions from pods might be interchangeable - so a Food Service pod might end up with some Entertainment units, or an Agricultural/Water Storage pod. The exact size of the pod would determine the ultimate customization level.
Large Pods
A large pod might have a diameter of a mile or more. This entry explores the possible composition of a mile diameter pod.
Interstellar Travel - Navigation
Finding our way around the Galaxy may turn out to be a daunting process.
Where Do We Go?
There are already some great resources that should be encouraged and developed through the process of planning Interstellar Travel. These include dictionaries, catalogs, and other compilations of Information that will be one of the most vital assets aboardship.
The Guide Star Catalog is used for positioning the Hubble Space Telescope. It contains the location of nearly a billion stars, With the current estimated number of stars in the Milky Way by some to be 100 Billion, the knowledge that we are done with possibly 1% of the entire Galaxy should be heartening indeed. And the fact that the information is Online is a step in the right direction.
As our sight grows longer and our skills at maintaining charts expanded, we will eventually be able to catalog nearly the entirety of the Galaxy, although that is most likely hundreds if not thousands of years in the future. The knowledge we accumulate will help us learn more about our place in the galaxy, as well as open the path for future generations to continue the exploration.
Basics of Navigation
The fundamental skill to Navigating a spaceship is the ability to read a Star Chart. These charts will most likely be digital in nature, being viewed in 3D rendering from any angle. As a backup, there will be lists of Stars and other Objects maintained, allowing a crew to plot their course mathematically against their knowledge of the stars nearby.
Reading other instrumentation will be vital. The speed of the ship, the time traveled, the direction, all of these will be needed measurements to triangulate the ship in local Space.
Navigation Topics
Possible Hazards in Navigating
Where Do We Go?
There are already some great resources that should be encouraged and developed through the process of planning Interstellar Travel. These include dictionaries, catalogs, and other compilations of Information that will be one of the most vital assets aboardship.
The Guide Star Catalog is used for positioning the Hubble Space Telescope. It contains the location of nearly a billion stars, With the current estimated number of stars in the Milky Way by some to be 100 Billion, the knowledge that we are done with possibly 1% of the entire Galaxy should be heartening indeed. And the fact that the information is Online is a step in the right direction.
As our sight grows longer and our skills at maintaining charts expanded, we will eventually be able to catalog nearly the entirety of the Galaxy, although that is most likely hundreds if not thousands of years in the future. The knowledge we accumulate will help us learn more about our place in the galaxy, as well as open the path for future generations to continue the exploration.
Basics of Navigation
The fundamental skill to Navigating a spaceship is the ability to read a Star Chart. These charts will most likely be digital in nature, being viewed in 3D rendering from any angle. As a backup, there will be lists of Stars and other Objects maintained, allowing a crew to plot their course mathematically against their knowledge of the stars nearby.
Reading other instrumentation will be vital. The speed of the ship, the time traveled, the direction, all of these will be needed measurements to triangulate the ship in local Space.
Navigation Topics
- Fixing Position
- Computing Course
- Execute Drive
Possible Hazards in Navigating
- Nebula
- Meteors
- Magnetic Anamolies
- Interstellar Dust
- Black Holes
- Radiation Storms
Interstellar Travel
To travel to the stars is the next stage in human development.
There are many ideas to explore when thinking about interstellar travel. How will we get there? How many people will need to go? How do you protect against emergencies? How much stuff must be brought?
Navigation
Logistics
Culture
There are many ideas to explore when thinking about interstellar travel. How will we get there? How many people will need to go? How do you protect against emergencies? How much stuff must be brought?
Navigation
Logistics
Culture
Interstellar Travel - Sewage
It will all have to go somewhere.
What are the challenges when it regards waste and recycling? How will all the garbage reach it's destination with a minimum of waste and a maximum of efficiency? How much garbage and sewage can ultimately be reused, and how much is forever useless?
These are some of the issues that will arise from the process of life aboard a ship.
What are the challenges when it regards waste and recycling? How will all the garbage reach it's destination with a minimum of waste and a maximum of efficiency? How much garbage and sewage can ultimately be reused, and how much is forever useless?
These are some of the issues that will arise from the process of life aboard a ship.
Interstellar Travel - Ships
Design
The design of a utilitarian ship for interstellar travel must be balanced with the fact that people need beauty - so in some instances
Colony Ship
Freighter
Warships
The design of a utilitarian ship for interstellar travel must be balanced with the fact that people need beauty - so in some instances
Colony Ship
Freighter
Warships
Interstellar Travel - Money
It is assumed that a population large enough to make an interstellar voyage will be large enough to require a system of payments and credits, to properly allocate funds for day to day consumption and contribution to the economy. But what form will these credits take? There are several things to consider.
1. Daily nourishment requirements and allocation of food resources
2. Access to specialized equipment for individuals and for institutions aboard ship
3. Allocation of material resources for new projects such as construction or upgrading of equipment
4. Determining how many credits will exist in the economy, and whether that number can grow/shrink over the course of time.
5. In addition, deciding if different credits should be issued for different needs.
6. Problems of individuals saving credits and what effect that will have on the economy.
1. Daily nourishment requirements and allocation of food resources
2. Access to specialized equipment for individuals and for institutions aboard ship
3. Allocation of material resources for new projects such as construction or upgrading of equipment
4. Determining how many credits will exist in the economy, and whether that number can grow/shrink over the course of time.
5. In addition, deciding if different credits should be issued for different needs.
6. Problems of individuals saving credits and what effect that will have on the economy.
Interstellar Travel - Culture
Defined as " the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.", Culture will play perhaps the most important role in the planning of an Interstellar Voyage.
Defining Culture
Who will be the arbiter over what Cultures will be represented on a voyage of generational length? How will the growth of culture influence the running of a ship, or the directives decided upon in the course of time? Will Earth retain some sort of hold over the Colonists, or will there be a schism of small or large proportions at some point?
Some Possible Issues to Consider
Defining Culture
Who will be the arbiter over what Cultures will be represented on a voyage of generational length? How will the growth of culture influence the running of a ship, or the directives decided upon in the course of time? Will Earth retain some sort of hold over the Colonists, or will there be a schism of small or large proportions at some point?
Some Possible Issues to Consider
- Population Crash
- Population Surge
- Coup
- Mutiny
- Rebellion
- Sabotage
Interstellar Travel - Biomass
To travel across interstellar distances, it will be necessary to develop a fast mode of travel. Assuming there will never be the ability to travel faster than light, it thus becomes imperative to plan for journeys involving decades or centuries to complete. So certain questions must be asked, such as:
The Cycle of Biomass
- How much biomass is necessary to sustain a population of humans indefinitely, in a closed environment?
- What kind of matter must be found to replace used biomass?
- How is the maximum population determined for a ship, given X amount of biomass?
- How much water is needed?
The Cycle of Biomass
- Soil
- Seed
- Plant
- Food
- Plastic
- Sewage
Interstellar Travel - Time
What kind of calendar will be used on an interstellar voyage? Will it take into account time dilation? Will we be going fast enough for that to be an issue? Will there be daylight savings time? Leap days? Will the ship keep the same calendar as Earth, and will it be able to synchronize anyway?
Holidays
Assuming a voyage of 10-20 years, this seems like a moot point. Of course we would use the same calendar. Why wouldn't we? But, since the voyage will most likely be accomplished by a variety of nations from around the world, which holidays will be celebrated? Take a quick look at this Earth Calendar with holidays from 2009. Just a quick couple of clicks turns up 75 different holiday entries with hundred of countries celebrating, and that's just the first week!
So how to reconcile a multitude of holidays with the strict schedule that will be needed aboard ship? Morale will be a very important issue, so to strip citizens of their right to celebrate would be a very bad thing. What might be a solution is to provide each group of ethnic or nationalist or religious affiliations a chance to select a pre-set slate of holidays. So USAns might choose the US holiday schedule (1/1, Easter, 7/4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc). A Muslim group might choose the Muslim schedule. And so on. But that begs the question, is it up to the individual, or the group, to decide which holiday schedule any particular person will follow?
Interstellar Travel - Manufacturing
One vital aspect of any generational ship is going to be the ability to create/manufacture new items to replace old, worn out parts and equipment. Some basic items should be easy enough - tools, nails, screws, plating, etc - any simple metal or composite items. Some things require far more in the way of planning and specialized equipment, such as computer chips, monitors, and medical devices.
So how to address this?
Here is a partial list of items that will need to be manufactured:
So how to address this?
Here is a partial list of items that will need to be manufactured:
- Semiconductors
- Plastic (for a variety of needs)
- Light bulbs
- Tool and Die equipment
- Rubber gaskets
- Blowtorch
- Glass containers and other products
- Speaker systems
- Sealant and glues
- Color dye
- Brushes
Interstellar Travel - Population
How big of a population is needed for Interstellar Travel? Depending on the nature of the mission, that answer will vary. In a 100 year journey, several generations will be needed. If the journey is intended to establish a colony of some sort, enough people will be necessary to establish a viable population with a broad enough genetic mix to ensure inbreeding doesn't occur on any dangerous level.
Some estimates are 100 minimum to ensure diversity. 1000 would be better. However, these are low numbers and possibly more should be figured for maximum safety. Other factors beyond just pure genetics is important, including number of workers to maintain the environment and pilot the ship, and other non maintaining roles such as education and military/police considerations.
Great conversation about Population diversity
Some estimates are 100 minimum to ensure diversity. 1000 would be better. However, these are low numbers and possibly more should be figured for maximum safety. Other factors beyond just pure genetics is important, including number of workers to maintain the environment and pilot the ship, and other non maintaining roles such as education and military/police considerations.
Great conversation about Population diversity
Interstellar Travel - Library
What will the good people of an Interstellar Starship do for reading? Books seem like a waste of mass, although it is almost a guarantee that people will have physical books onboard. So what will be the procedure?
Right now Amazon has introduced and gotten good progress on the Kindle: Amazon's Wireless Reading Device
. It allows one to download books to the reader (for a fee) and read the books on what is basically a notepad. This concept has permeated many science fiction stories, most notably in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Something similar will most likely be used aboard a starship. There is a great website discussing the issue of information storage that was written in the 90s. Even taking that information, there will be more than enough space on the computers aboard a ship to handle all the books that would be desired for reading aboard a ship. All the works of all the famous authors throughout the centuries would be available, for free, aboard ship. Well, perhaps not for free.
But then the question comes: do you bring everything aboard ship? Or are you selective in the choice of reading materials available? Are there going to be levels of access so that you can prevent some people from accessing certain information (security issues, dissident political writings, etc). Or will all information be free to everyone (and by free I mean available)?
I think that some levels of information will be restricted. Plus, some will not be available at all. There will most likely be writings that are deemed unnecessary to have - pornography and fiction come to mind as likely candidates for purging. Fiction because regardless of the intent, copywrites will possibly play a part in what information can and cannot be brought aboard the ship. Should Earthbound publishing houses relinquish use of their material "for the greater good"?
Technical writings will be far more important, along with history and politics. Copyrights would have to be secured for all information, and that is where any sort of information budget would most likely focus it's resources first.
All in all, a vital and important part of shipboard life is going to be access to written word, both entertainment and education. Current projects like Gutenberg, Wikipedia, and other groups that catalog knowledge will most likely be called upon to contribute their resources to the effort.
Right now Amazon has introduced and gotten good progress on the Kindle: Amazon's Wireless Reading Device
. It allows one to download books to the reader (for a fee) and read the books on what is basically a notepad. This concept has permeated many science fiction stories, most notably in Star Trek: The Next Generation.Something similar will most likely be used aboard a starship. There is a great website discussing the issue of information storage that was written in the 90s. Even taking that information, there will be more than enough space on the computers aboard a ship to handle all the books that would be desired for reading aboard a ship. All the works of all the famous authors throughout the centuries would be available, for free, aboard ship. Well, perhaps not for free.
But then the question comes: do you bring everything aboard ship? Or are you selective in the choice of reading materials available? Are there going to be levels of access so that you can prevent some people from accessing certain information (security issues, dissident political writings, etc). Or will all information be free to everyone (and by free I mean available)?
I think that some levels of information will be restricted. Plus, some will not be available at all. There will most likely be writings that are deemed unnecessary to have - pornography and fiction come to mind as likely candidates for purging. Fiction because regardless of the intent, copywrites will possibly play a part in what information can and cannot be brought aboard the ship. Should Earthbound publishing houses relinquish use of their material "for the greater good"?
Technical writings will be far more important, along with history and politics. Copyrights would have to be secured for all information, and that is where any sort of information budget would most likely focus it's resources first.
All in all, a vital and important part of shipboard life is going to be access to written word, both entertainment and education. Current projects like Gutenberg, Wikipedia, and other groups that catalog knowledge will most likely be called upon to contribute their resources to the effort.
Interstellar Travel - First Spaceborn
On a generational ship, there are certain firsts that will be noted for the history books. First novel published, first born, first death. The spaceborn will be different - a totally unique manner of human being - the first born outside our solar system, possibly - if we don't establish stations out beyond the heliosheath in preparation of our outward voyage. But definitely, the first human born on a colonization attempt. Onboard, that will most likely accord the firstborn a special place in the social structure. Some will be hard on him, others will revere him. Some will hate him. Others, born after, might seek to supplant him.
It is a good possibility that special leadership status will be accorded him.
Should the firstborn be planned? It seems likely that there is a gap of time where procreation would not be feasible, during acceleration out of the solar system. But when the safe time is reached, and procreation is open, should others be forced to wait in favor of allowing a particular couple the honor or privilege of baring the first child?
And how should he be raised? Normal, as any other child, but there will be that gap between him and the Earthers. A generational gap unlike any encountered. The relationships will most likely develop almost completely normal - with ever the slight barrier between normal generations. But there will always be that intangible that sets apart the spaceborn from the Earthers. And this will be the first exposure to what shape the relationships will take. Care must be given, and consideration made as to the best ways to interact with the spaceborn. There will be resentment amongst them, some will feel betrayed and angry that this choice, to be doomed forever to live in a tin can, with the possibility of never seeing the destination, was thrust upon them before they were even conceived. Who gave the Earthers the right to bereave their get of a planet? This is not like leaving a native country, this would be the most profound change in paradigm a human could ever know. And so that gap between Earther and spaceborn will persist, and plans made to control a swelling of anger that might lead to mutiny and the possible destruction of the mission.
It is easy and safe to sit here and say that this would never happen, that people, humans, are better than that and would understand. And some would - some would be excited to be part of it. But like Cypher in the Matrix - knowing what you are giving up, and wanting to go back - that is the hard part. So stories must be told of Earth, full well knowing that the anger and resentment might swell at any time.
The firstborn would most likely, as stated above, be given special honor or privileges towards leadership. So it is imperative that much thought be given as to the possible paths the adult community should try to steer the first of the spaceborn into to help ensure the smoothest transition and integration of past and present inhabitants of the ship.
It is a good possibility that special leadership status will be accorded him.
Should the firstborn be planned? It seems likely that there is a gap of time where procreation would not be feasible, during acceleration out of the solar system. But when the safe time is reached, and procreation is open, should others be forced to wait in favor of allowing a particular couple the honor or privilege of baring the first child?
And how should he be raised? Normal, as any other child, but there will be that gap between him and the Earthers. A generational gap unlike any encountered. The relationships will most likely develop almost completely normal - with ever the slight barrier between normal generations. But there will always be that intangible that sets apart the spaceborn from the Earthers. And this will be the first exposure to what shape the relationships will take. Care must be given, and consideration made as to the best ways to interact with the spaceborn. There will be resentment amongst them, some will feel betrayed and angry that this choice, to be doomed forever to live in a tin can, with the possibility of never seeing the destination, was thrust upon them before they were even conceived. Who gave the Earthers the right to bereave their get of a planet? This is not like leaving a native country, this would be the most profound change in paradigm a human could ever know. And so that gap between Earther and spaceborn will persist, and plans made to control a swelling of anger that might lead to mutiny and the possible destruction of the mission.
It is easy and safe to sit here and say that this would never happen, that people, humans, are better than that and would understand. And some would - some would be excited to be part of it. But like Cypher in the Matrix - knowing what you are giving up, and wanting to go back - that is the hard part. So stories must be told of Earth, full well knowing that the anger and resentment might swell at any time.
The firstborn would most likely, as stated above, be given special honor or privileges towards leadership. So it is imperative that much thought be given as to the possible paths the adult community should try to steer the first of the spaceborn into to help ensure the smoothest transition and integration of past and present inhabitants of the ship.
Interstellar Travel - Jobs - Medicine
The real question when considering medicine is not how many doctors should go, but rather, how much medical staff is required to obtain access to advanced medical procedures such as neurosurgery, limb replacement, and other such necessities? On a generational voyage, the degradation of the human "assets" must be kept to a minimum - meaning that a balance must be found between acceptable loss and possible recuperation. Obviously general medicine must be practiced, but at what point are humans going to be "allowed" to expire, where if they had been on Earth something could have been done to save them?
This ties directly into another subject, that of survival ethics in a closed society. Several themes must be explored - the ethics of euthanasia, the returns generated by expending valuable materials to save a person's life, when that person will not be contributing as much back to the society, and other tough questions that may arise regarding the survival of the many weighed against individual desires.
So the levels of medicine should be examined first, as to how many people are required to provide infrastructure at each level of medical proficiency.
General Practice
Internal Medicine
Diagnostic
This ties directly into another subject, that of survival ethics in a closed society. Several themes must be explored - the ethics of euthanasia, the returns generated by expending valuable materials to save a person's life, when that person will not be contributing as much back to the society, and other tough questions that may arise regarding the survival of the many weighed against individual desires.
So the levels of medicine should be examined first, as to how many people are required to provide infrastructure at each level of medical proficiency.
General Practice
- Family Practitioner
- General Practitioner
- Internist
- Pediatrician
Internal Medicine
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology
- Hepatology
- Infectious Disease
- Intensive Care
- Nephrology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Oncology
- Proctology
- Pulmonology
- Rheumatology
- Urology
- Nuclear Medicine
Interstellar Travel - Jobs - Command
The ones who run the ship. Who will they be? The ship must be under the ultimate command of one person or group. It is this group, imbued with the ability to command any other person or group on the ship. How will it be decided who that is? A democracy? Dictatorship? Military? Kingdom?
The two facets to command are the structure of the top authority, and the political group that controls it.
In general, the captain of a ship is the ultimate authority aboard ship, and has final say in all matters pertaining to the running and maintenance of the ship. However, what happens aboard a ship where there is a whole society aboard, that isn't part of the command structure or day-to-day operation of the ship? There is little precedent in history for this, because all ship voyages have either been under the auspices of a civilian or military authority at home. Several exceptions come to mind, such as pirate ships flying under their own flag, and cruise ships that submit to a corporate authority rather than a governmental one.
But neither of these examples encompasses the situation that will occur aboard interstellar ships. There will be a command structure in charge of the ship itself, and a civilian authority in charge of societal tasks such as food production, medical services, and menial tasks involving garbage and waste recycling among others. So a better place to look for historical precedent might be at colonies with distant government administered through regional governors, or military occupation of conquered territories (not that there would be any sort of military conquering of the civilian portion, but rather the dynamics that developed between the military leaders and the suborned inhabitants).
Organization
Ship Maintenance
Food Production
Interstellar Travel - Jobs
Interstellar Travel
The two facets to command are the structure of the top authority, and the political group that controls it.
In general, the captain of a ship is the ultimate authority aboard ship, and has final say in all matters pertaining to the running and maintenance of the ship. However, what happens aboard a ship where there is a whole society aboard, that isn't part of the command structure or day-to-day operation of the ship? There is little precedent in history for this, because all ship voyages have either been under the auspices of a civilian or military authority at home. Several exceptions come to mind, such as pirate ships flying under their own flag, and cruise ships that submit to a corporate authority rather than a governmental one.
But neither of these examples encompasses the situation that will occur aboard interstellar ships. There will be a command structure in charge of the ship itself, and a civilian authority in charge of societal tasks such as food production, medical services, and menial tasks involving garbage and waste recycling among others. So a better place to look for historical precedent might be at colonies with distant government administered through regional governors, or military occupation of conquered territories (not that there would be any sort of military conquering of the civilian portion, but rather the dynamics that developed between the military leaders and the suborned inhabitants).
Organization
Ship Maintenance
Food Production
Interstellar Travel - Jobs
Interstellar Travel
Interstellar Travel - Jobs
How many jobs will it take to run a spaceship? Although the exact shape a ship will take is unknown at this time, educated guesses can and have been made - extrapolating from current technology and knowledge, to the possible branches such tech might take us. Also mix in a bit of whimsy at times, or fantastical, and you have the field open to how a ship might be designed, constructed, and built. Then comes the staffing of the ship, and what different fields will prove to be the most important to train for, and what jobs are absolutely indispensable. Training an initial crew will be the ideal situation for original staffing, but replacements must be drawn from the population of the ship, and eventually the crew will be replaced by spaceborn humans.
Not only must a plan be laid out to replenish the stock of capable workers in each job identified as critical, a structure must be in place to train replacements in the absence of qualified educational staff or even a living user of the skills. In the case of emergency, it would be possible to lose all people with particular skills. The idea of cross-training between different fields, having extended "basic" courses across a wide range of subjects, formalizing and enforcing a rigorous diary system whereby students can pinpoint shortcomings and areas that could use improvement, etc - these are all things that need to be examined when codifying the curriculum.
Another item to be considered is what size population must exist to support certain jobsets? Basic family practice should be relatively easy to maintain, but what about advanced surgery? Research into disease? Preventative medicine regimens? A certain number of lower level assets must be maintained to ensure access to the most advanced of sciences; medical, engineering, computer science are but a few of the fields that have sufficiently advanced concepts to need a broader base in order to maintain the level of proficiency and availability aboard ship.
Jobs need to be categorized using a graded scale - different aspects will contribute to the overall value of a job, which will be used to determine priority when filling and planning for new staff, allocating resources based on the discretion of individuals, and terminating people in crisis situations where the population must be culled for survival. The question that comes next is, how are different jobs compensated? Will there be uneven distribution of wealth, or will the ship work as a commune? For a smaller, military style voyage, the answer would be simple. But in a ship the size of a colony, there will inevitably be a disparity of wealth, and it will most likely form along careers and parentage. Hopefully a system can be developed that is as much meritocracy as possible, rather than pure generational happenstance.
Ship Organization
Command
Ship Maintenance
Food Services
Medical
Government
Police
Basic Fields
Command
Crew
Medicine
Engineering
Construction
Military
Police
Food Production
Food Preparation
Waste Disposal
Education
Fitness
Job Ratings
Survival
Morale
Ship Survival
Prestige
Flexibility
Interstellar Travel
Not only must a plan be laid out to replenish the stock of capable workers in each job identified as critical, a structure must be in place to train replacements in the absence of qualified educational staff or even a living user of the skills. In the case of emergency, it would be possible to lose all people with particular skills. The idea of cross-training between different fields, having extended "basic" courses across a wide range of subjects, formalizing and enforcing a rigorous diary system whereby students can pinpoint shortcomings and areas that could use improvement, etc - these are all things that need to be examined when codifying the curriculum.
Another item to be considered is what size population must exist to support certain jobsets? Basic family practice should be relatively easy to maintain, but what about advanced surgery? Research into disease? Preventative medicine regimens? A certain number of lower level assets must be maintained to ensure access to the most advanced of sciences; medical, engineering, computer science are but a few of the fields that have sufficiently advanced concepts to need a broader base in order to maintain the level of proficiency and availability aboard ship.
Jobs need to be categorized using a graded scale - different aspects will contribute to the overall value of a job, which will be used to determine priority when filling and planning for new staff, allocating resources based on the discretion of individuals, and terminating people in crisis situations where the population must be culled for survival. The question that comes next is, how are different jobs compensated? Will there be uneven distribution of wealth, or will the ship work as a commune? For a smaller, military style voyage, the answer would be simple. But in a ship the size of a colony, there will inevitably be a disparity of wealth, and it will most likely form along careers and parentage. Hopefully a system can be developed that is as much meritocracy as possible, rather than pure generational happenstance.
Ship Organization
Command
Ship Maintenance
Food Services
Medical
Government
Police
Basic Fields
Command
Crew
Medicine
Engineering
Construction
Military
Police
Food Production
Food Preparation
Waste Disposal
Education
Fitness
Job Ratings
Survival
Morale
Ship Survival
Prestige
Flexibility
Interstellar Travel
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