"Project NAUTILUS-100: Nuclear-Powered Modular Habitat System for Permanent Martian Colonization"

Project NAUTILUS-100 presents a comprehensive technical framework for establishing a self-sufficient colony of 100 permanent inhabitants on Mars within a 10-year operational timeline. The system integrates submarine nuclear technology heritage with modular prefabricated construction and closed-loop ecological life support (Artificial Closed Ecosystem - ACE). The architecture employs 135 standardized MARSUB-CELL modules (12m × 4.5m), transportable via SpaceX Starship, featuring plug-and-play interconnection through the ICP-Mars docking protocol. Expandable greenhouse modules (MS-P1-XL) achieve 4× area efficiency using inflatable rigid technology, providing 18,000 m² of cultivation area across 56 units. The integrated ACE combines 18 carefully selected organisms (crops, fish, insects, algae, fungi) achieving >95% food self-sufficiency, 98% water recycling, and 95% nutrient closure. Energy requirements (2-3 MW operational) are met through hybrid nuclear-solar generation: four Kilopower-XL reactors (500 kW each) provide baseload, supplemented by 12,000 m² of photovoltaic arrays and 4 MWh battery storage. Total project cost is estimated at $15.5B over 10 years, requiring 28 Starship flights across four transfer windows (2035-2043). Technology Readiness Levels range from TRL 6-9, with critical path items requiring 5-8 years of terrestrial analog validation. This work demonstrates that permanent Martian colonization is achievable with current or near-term technology, contingent on commitment to modular redundancy, biological-technological integration, and phased deployment strategies.