NOTE: This report is in an incomplete state. It will be added to and refined as the settlement plan takes shape. TransportShip cost (new): 200 million to just over 1 billion dollars Ship Cost (resale): ~1 million dollars -This is assuming a mid-to-large ship. Smaller yachts can reach the continent but are unsuitable due to limited storage capacity. Ice breakers would be preferred but are at the upper limit of this estimate. Zodiac (MK5): $20,000 to $30,000 (x2) Max. Passenger Capacity: 15 Zodiac Repair Kit: $130 to $140 (x4) -Zodiacs are the gold standard of Antarctic landings. As Antarctica lacks ports, Zodiacs perform a vital role in ferrying supplies and personnel from vessels anchored off-shore to the continent itself. Due to the vital nature of this role at least two will be required. Helicopter (Bell 206): $400,000 to $900,000 Fuel Cost (full tank): $588 Fuel Capacity: 98 gallons Fuel per Hour: 30 gallons ($130-$180) Max. Range: 490km -Helicopters are an optional means of transport (and scouting). These prices are included for reference. Total Transport Cost: est. $200,440,520 to 1,000,960,560 -Transport represents the single largest hurdle to this project. As noted above the smaller vessels would bring the cost down but would require multiple trips to deliver the initial building supplies. This greatly increases the risk of discovery and/or loss of the vessel. Cost per PersonConstruction Materials (lumber): Nil* to $5 per 2x4x8 (2x4 calculator) (Potentially $10,000) Construction Materials (Nails): Nil** to $20 per pound (Potentially $10,000) Construction Materials (Insulation): $3,000 to $10,000*** Construction Materials (Vapor Barrier): $1,200 Wiring: $4,000 Solar Panels: Varies (More research required) Wind Turbines: Varies (More research required) -Costs have been calculated using a 2,000 sqft house. This is a little absurd but it gives a margin of error to work with. The observant will note I did not include foundation costs. This is due to concrete foundations being impractical and unnecessary. Once an area is clear and level structures can be built directly on the ground with gravel piled along the sides. Due to low temperatures rot occurs very slowly. More refined foundation techniques can be implemented at a later date. It should be noted that it is likely with these numbers the resulting structure could easily house a family of four and the costs should be quartered in the below tally. *I will note that scrap wood of serviceable quality is not rare. Pallets are the main culprit here and can be acquired free-of-charge from any number of places. They supply 2x4s, strapping, and boards suitable for tongue and groove fitting (useful for both walls and floors), some pallets are even suitable for subfloors on their own. **Nails are much the same story as the lumber but it is slightly rarer to acquire the nails in good condition. ***In a similar manner to above sheep's wool is a good insulation choice with a higher upfront cost but lower ongoing cost. Wool is not used in warmer climates due to insect concerns. Antarctica has no such concerns. Years-worth of Food: $4,000 -While the objective is to become self-sufficient as quickly as possible, the first year is not likely to allow time for this. As such a years-worth of food should be stockpiled for each person. Misc. Costs: $1,000 -This section includes costs such as furniture, silverware, electronics, etc. Realistically, people will bring their own belongings. This category is for those of so little wealth they lack even basic items. Total Cost Per Person: est. $7,050 to $40,200 Total Cost Per 100 People: est. $705,000 to $4,020,000 -This is one of those cases where the the upper limit represents if literally everything goes wrong. Communal CostsStone Masonry Equipment: $10,000 to 20,000 -Antarctica has a lot of rock and even just considering the necessity of creating level areas to build it is clear the settlement will need some ability to work stone. Carpentry Equipment: $800 to $3,000 -Even more important than stone masonry is carpentry as the settlement will be primarily made of wood in early stages. The original estimate was $700 to $2,000 but I increased this due to the need for redundancy. Human Waste Treatment: $1,000 to $3,000 (x12) -The estimates for how many toilets 100 people need are absurdly low and I have doubled them. Included under the communal section as toilets will need to initially be in concentrated locations to make heating easier. While converting human waste into fertilizer is doable it does require heating to temperatures high enough to kill pathogens. Greenhouse Equipment (Lights): Varies (More research required) Greenhouse Equipment (Soil): $1,000 (soil is cheap but we need a lot) -In theory, as long as you could keep an enclosed area warm you could grow a field of grass which would allow some smaller grazing animals to be raised (chickens, sheep, rabbits). The most efficient way to do this would be to have the heating right in the soil (as long as there is no wind the soil and air directly above it are more important than what the temperature is at ceiling height). Total Communal Costs: est. $23,800 to $60,000 -Strictly speaking the more areas the the settlement that are included in the communal costs the cheaper the whole endevour becomes due to cutting down on duplication of goods and services. However, there is a point where this becomes impractical. Total Cost Break-Down (Frequently Updated)(Assuming a 100 person initial settlement)
Total Estimated Set Costs: est. $201,169,320 to $1,005,040,560 Total Estimated Ongoing Costs: Varies (More research required) -What is apparent from this data is how much securing a means of traveling to Antarctica dwarfs all other costs. In fact the settlement costs could triple and the grand majority of the price tag would still be the purchase of a ship.
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Published ResearchAs the project develops and gaps in understanding are filled finalized plans will be posted here. The end goal being a comprehensive plan for settling Antarctica. All plans subject to update as new information is learned. Archives
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