8.32 From the solar-cell array support structure extend four 150meter long booms to the four corners of the rectangular frame. These booms are made from lm deep 3-dimensional space truss, and provide a rigid connection and electrical pathway from the power plant to the rest of the construction site. The rectangular frame, also made from lm deep 3-dimensional space truss, brackets the assembly volume for the colony. It is 220m in width and 310m in length so that the colony hull can be assembled within it with a Sm clearance on all sides as shown in Figure 8.8. The outer edges of the long side of the frame support tracks. Along these tracks run the circular cranes driven by electric motors. These cranes are 220m in diameter, and their motion along the frame sweeps out a cylinder surrounding the assembly volume of the colony hull. Because the cranes are connected to the outside of the frame, semipermanent connections can be made between the colony hull inside the frame and the frame itself without interfering with the translational motions of the cranes. A cross sectional view of the colony temporarily connected to the frame is shown in Figure 8.9. The position of the colony hull can, therefore, be held fixed relative to the frame during assembly. The cranes, made of lm deep 3-dimensional space truss, also support tracks along which move cabs equipped with manipulator arms. These cabs move, position, and hold the hull and bulkhead sections for assembly. To be able to work on the endcaps, the two halves of the cranes can pivot at the points where the cranes meet the frames. As shown in Figure 8.10, this allows the half crane sections to work on the hemispherical endcaps. One of the short edges of the rectangular frame forms the center section of the 400m long mast. This lm deep 3-dimensional space truss lies in the plane of the ecliptic; the hull is assembled so that its lengthwise axis is perpendicular to the ecliptic plane since that is the orientation required for the completed colony. Along the mast are tracks for an electric hoist which moves personnel and equipment between the living quarters, the assembly frame, and the construction shacks.
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