[Space]: Habitability modifiers for tidelocked and resonant worlds

[pnewman]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Again, I'm not so sure about the ease of such complex genetic engineering. Radiation is a constant threat to all of us on earth. I don't think we could do that much more than nature for a very very long time.

But nature includes lots of things that are much more radiation tolerant than humans (as well as some that are less so). It seems as if some transgenic modifications would probably help your space dwellers quite a bit.

GURPS Biotech calls Radiation Tolerance 2 a TL 9 species modification, Radiation Tolerance 5 a TL 10 spec mod, Radiation Tolerance 10 a TL 10/11 spec mod, and Radiation Tolerance 20 a TL 11/12 spec mod. [GURPS Biotech p50].

Since the habitats themselves sound like TL9 than if you've got them, then barring a non standard tech development, you should have the genetic engineering too. With Radiation Tolerance 2 you need only half as much shielding for your space colony. Half as thick will be much lighter (your mass savings will depend on the size and shape of your habitat). Regeneration (heals radiation) would also help.