Spome
Encyclopedia
A spome is any hypothetical
system closed with respect to matter and open with respect to energy capable of sustaining human life indefinitely. The term was coined in 1966 by Isaac Asimov
in a paper entitled "There’s No Place Like Spome", published in Atmosphere in Space Cabins and Closed Environments and originally presented as a paper to the American Chemical Society on September 13, 1965.
state from which it moves all material resources, such as air, water, and food with the rejection of low-grade heat as the final energy output. The concept reflects the dynamics of ecosystem ecology
as described by Howard T. Odum
.
The term applies to any life-support system from submarines to spaceships, and includes the operation of the Earth's own biosphere.
The word "spome" was also referenced in a reprint of Asimov's original article in "Is anyone there?", 1967 by Doubleday, Ash. He surmised that an asteroid could be "spomified" by being hollowed out and equipped suitably for long term, sustainable flight.
called the concept of a spome "an astronaut's black box", meaning that the necessities of life were supplied through the absorption of energy to cycle material resources and eject heat from the system. Fuller's institute is furthering this concept through understanding of the Earth's comprehensive life support system.
. Asimov's concept predates and exceeds O’Neill’s by using a propulsion system with a Spome to allow development of the solar system, and then leaving to populate the galaxy over eons.
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. The term derives from the Greek, ὑποτιθέναι – hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". For a hypothesis to be put forward as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it...
system closed with respect to matter and open with respect to energy capable of sustaining human life indefinitely. The term was coined in 1966 by Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
in a paper entitled "There’s No Place Like Spome", published in Atmosphere in Space Cabins and Closed Environments and originally presented as a paper to the American Chemical Society on September 13, 1965.
Definition
Asimov described how energy flows through a life-support system from a low entropicEntropy
Entropy is a thermodynamic property that can be used to determine the energy available for useful work in a thermodynamic process, such as in energy conversion devices, engines, or machines. Such devices can only be driven by convertible energy, and have a theoretical maximum efficiency when...
state from which it moves all material resources, such as air, water, and food with the rejection of low-grade heat as the final energy output. The concept reflects the dynamics of ecosystem ecology
Ecosystem ecology
Ecosystem ecology is the integrated study of biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems and their interactions within an ecosystem framework. This science examines how ecosystems work and relates this to their components such as chemicals, bedrock, soil, plants, and animals.Ecosystem ecology...
as described by Howard T. Odum
Howard T. Odum
Howard Thomas Odum was an American ecologist...
.
The term applies to any life-support system from submarines to spaceships, and includes the operation of the Earth's own biosphere.
The word "spome" was also referenced in a reprint of Asimov's original article in "Is anyone there?", 1967 by Doubleday, Ash. He surmised that an asteroid could be "spomified" by being hollowed out and equipped suitably for long term, sustainable flight.
Buckminster Fuller
Buckminster FullerBuckminster Fuller
Richard Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller was an American systems theorist, author, designer, inventor, futurist and second president of Mensa International, the high IQ society....
called the concept of a spome "an astronaut's black box", meaning that the necessities of life were supplied through the absorption of energy to cycle material resources and eject heat from the system. Fuller's institute is furthering this concept through understanding of the Earth's comprehensive life support system.
Gerard O'Neill
Gerard K. O'Neill does not acknowledge the term "spome", but writes about the concept in The High Frontier: Human Colonies in SpaceThe High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space
The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space is a 1976 book by Gerard K. O'Neill, a road map for what the United States might do in outer space after the Apollo program, the drive to place a man on the Moon. It envisions large manned habitats in the Earth-Moon system, especially near stable...
. Asimov's concept predates and exceeds O’Neill’s by using a propulsion system with a Spome to allow development of the solar system, and then leaving to populate the galaxy over eons.
Dandridge Cole
Engineer Dandridge Cole in the 1960s called these settlements, "Macro-Life".See also
- Biosphere 2Biosphere 2Biosphere 2 is a structure originally built to be an artificial, materially-closed ecological system in Oracle, Arizona by Space Biosphere Ventures, a joint venture whose principal officers were John P. Allen, inventor and Executive Director, and Margret Augustine, CEO...
- Closed ecological systemClosed ecological systemClosed ecological systems are ecosystems that do not rely on matter exchange with any part outside the system.The term is most often used to describe small manmade ecosystems...
- Dandridge Cole
- Buckminster FullerBuckminster FullerRichard Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller was an American systems theorist, author, designer, inventor, futurist and second president of Mensa International, the high IQ society....
- Human EcologyHuman ecologyHuman ecology is the subdiscipline of ecology that focuses on humans. More broadly, it is an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary study of the relationship between humans and their natural, social, and built environments. The term 'human ecology' first appeared in a sociological study in 1921...
- Living systems theory
- MacrolifeMacrolifeMacrolife: A Mobile Utopia is a 1979 science fiction novel by American author George Zebrowski.-Plot introduction:By 2021, Earth's nations are at peace, and even the erstwhile poorer nations are beginning to enjoy stable political and economic regimes...
- Howard T. OdumHoward T. OdumHoward Thomas Odum was an American ecologist...
- Gerard K. O'Neill
- Primary Life Support SystemPrimary Life Support SystemA Primary Life Support System , is a device connected to an astronaut's or cosmonaut's spacesuit, which allows extra-vehicular activity with maximum freedom, independent of a spacecraft's life support system. The PLSS is generally worn like a backpack...