Atoll
In space and astronautical engineering, an atoll is a hypothetical space habitat that consists of a ring-shaped structure encircling a central lagoon. The concept of atoll was first proposed by NASA scientist Gerard K. O'Neill in the 1970s as a possible design for a space colony. The atoll would rotate around its central axis to create artificial gravity on the inner surface of the ring. The lagoon in the center could be used for agriculture, recreation, or other purposes. The atoll design offers several advantages over other space habitats, such as a large living area, abundant sunlight for solar power, and protection from cosmic radiation. However, it also poses some challenges, such as the need for a strong and lightweight material to construct the ring and the difficulty of maintaining a stable orbit.
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