Cheap Interplanetary Travel Via Water Powered Rockets?
If you think gas prices on Earth are out of this world, wait until you see the cost of flying to another planet.
Regardless of whether you use chemical rockets, nuclear rockets or even VASIMR (the latter which is still a long shot), traveling throughout our sol system will set you back billions of dollars.
While such prices are currently only affordable for wealthy nations, a new type of rocket could make traveling throughout the star system affordable for the affluent masses.
The space coach concept vehicle is water-driven and water-centric, starting with its solar-powered electrothermal engines. These engines would super-heat water, and the resulting steam would then be vented out of a nozzle, producing the necessary amount of thrust.
Electrothermal engines are very efficient, and they’re well-suited for sustained, low-thrust travel, researchers said. This mode of propulsion would do the lion’s share of the work, pushing the space coach from Earth orbit to Mars.
Smaller chemical rockets could be called into service from time to time when a rapid change in velocity is needed, McConnell said. (Space.com)
Brian McConnell (the mind behind this idea) envisions passengers residing within Bigelow Aerospace like modules, with water surrounding the walls of the space craft in order to shield passengers from deadly radiation.
While the concept itself is potentially feasible, the craft’s range would be limited by the power of the Sun (which means that this craft probably will not be traveling beyond Jupiter in the semi-distant future).
Although craft’s design only exists on paper (or rather upon a computer), McConnell might be able to convert his dream into a reality if he can convince a billionaire to fund the project (or perhaps a space hungry country).
Image Credit: Robert Becker
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Russia Going Nuclear (Space Rockets That Is)
Once again “Mother Russia” is contemplating using nuclear rockets in its quest to conquer the final frontier.
Only this time instead of laying out wishful thoughts, the country seems to be settling upon not only a time frame, but also an estimated cost as well.
Russia’s Energia space corporation said on Tuesday it is planning to start working on standardized space modules with nuclear-powered propulsion systems next year.
Energia director Vitaly Lopota said the first launches with a capacity of 150 to 500 KW could be made some time in 2020. [...]
The project will require an estimated 17 billion rubles (over $580 million) in funding. (RIA Novosti)
Going nuclear could help Russia not only land a man (or woman) upon the Moon, but also help them beat America to Mars (not to mention the Galilean moons of Jupiter as well).
Ironically NASA previously pondered nuclear rockets as well, but it’s doubtful the government agency could launch a nuclear rocket into space without encountering half a dozen lawsuits (and hundreds of protesters).
While nuclear rockets are a critical factor if humanity desires to expand beyond his cozy home world, we may need something faster if we want to conquer our star system within the next few centuries (and no, VASIMR engines are no longer a viable option).
(Image and Hat Tip via Space Travel)
Read MoreVideo: Will Nuclear Rockets Help Russia Beat America And China To The Stars?
Russia, a nation nation known for putting the first satellite, man, woman, dog, etc. into space (not to mention being the first to pioneer space tourism with Space Adventures) may embrace nuclear rockets to help them reach the stars (and perhaps even Mars as well).
While a nuclear rocket from a practical stand point makes sense (as they can lift heavier objects to orbit compared to their chemical cousins), it would probably also isolate Russia (since anything nuclear is often frowned upon–at least in the west).
It may also help Russia catch up to America (or rather the private sector) as well as maintain their lead against China, whose presence is motivating everyone to claim a piece of Luna for their own.
(via Spaceports)
Read MoreRussia To Mars: Lets Go Nuclear!
It looks like the nation that pioneered the path the final frontier may help push humanity forward once again–plus or minus a “little” risk.
(Mars Daily) Since current rocket technologies are not sufficient for the future exploration of Mars and the whole Solar system, and since no alternative energy resources have been found as of now, the only possible way to implement those projects would be by using nuclear energy, [Vitaly] Lopota[, President and Chief Designer of Russia's Energia Aerospace Corporation] said at an academic conference on aerospace.
While nuclear rockets may be the most practical way to reach Mars, it may also set off a dangerous precedent as unstable nations (like Iran) may seek nuclear options as a way to transport their astronauts to Mars (and beyond).
Either way it may be the necessary step to help humanity embrace the heavens above, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Russia choose this path (despite the controversy).
Read MoreVideo: Water Ice Plus Aluminum Equals Rocket Fuel. Huh?
(Hat Tip: Hobby Space)
When it comes to space travel, choosing the right fuel could mean life or death for those watching the rocket blast off into glory.
While the hydrogen/oxygen mix has been popular with governments and corporations alike, scientists from Purdue and Pennsylvania State are trying to come up with safer alternatives such as aluminum and water ice.
(Defense News) In August, the Air Force, NASA and scientists from Purdue and Pennsylvania State universities launched a 9-foot rocket 1,300 feet into the air during an initial test flight of the propellant ALICE – so named for its ingredients, aluminum and ice.
The rocket accelerated to 200 miles per hour in 0.8 seconds, said Timothee Pourpoint, an aeronautics and astronautics professor at Purdue.
That’s a promising start, but not better than current propellants, he said. ALICE developers are convinced they can do better. “We have a lot of ideas on how to improve performance,” Pourpoint said.
While its doubtful that NASA would replace the hydrogen/oxygen mix that they have come to know and love, it may be worth looking into for the space agency as it would enable astronauts to refuel from the moon (since there is plenty of aluminum within its soil).
If NASA is able to confirm the presence of water within the lunar surface, then humanity may have the means to power rockets to and from LEO from lunar orbit.
Read MoreNitrogen Powered Rockets (For Titan, Triton And Pluto?)
Out “in the black” where the suns rays are much dimmer, future explorers will have to come up with innovative ways to travel to and from the gas giants, dwarf planets and the various moons that dance around their parent worlds.
While solar sails, magnetic sails and nuclear rockets could provide some measure of transport, they will probably be too expensive for the average star ship.
Since mining hydrogen directly from gas giants is suicidal due to their deep gravity wells and very fierce winds (with the only exception being Uranus), colonists beyond Jupiter may look towards nitrogen to solve their space transport needs.
(Space Travel) Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers say their new rocket — called the Mini-Helicon Plasma Thruster — is much smaller than other rockets of its kind and could consume just one-tenth the fuel used by conventional systems. [...]
The scientists said the Mini-Helicon is the first rocket to run on nitrogen, the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere. Batishchev noted, however, it could be years before the technology can be used commercially.
While this technology will have some value on our home world, these nitrogen powered rockets may prove invaluable to worlds like Titan, Triton and Pluto who seem to be blessed with an abundance of nitrogen, respectively.
If future settlers could find ways to harvest this element from these worlds, then humanity may discover a means to travel not only throughout the outer planets, but perhaps beyond the Kuiper belt as well.
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Is Obama Having Second Thoughts On NASA's Ares I Rocket?
After defeating John McCain in the bid for the White House, President Elect Barack Obama is determined to bring about the necessary change in government in order to keep the US economy from going off of a cliff.
While Obama is already asking for “meaningful cuts and sacrifices” in order to keep our economy afloat, it looks like his team may be hinting that future budget cuts could potentially affect NASA’s Ares I rocket as well.
(Space.com) U.S. President-elect Barack Obama’s NASA transition team is asking U.S. space agency officials to quantify how much money could be saved by canceling the Ares 1 rocket and scaling back the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle next year. [...]
The questionnaire, “NASA Presidential Transition Team Requests for Information,” asks agency officials to provide the latest information on Ares 1, Orion and the planned Ares 5 heavy-lift cargo launcher, and to calculate the near-term close-out costs and longer-term savings associated with canceling those programs. The questionnaire also contemplates a scenario where Ares 1 would be canceled but development of the Ares 5 would continue.
While the questionnaire, a copy of which was obtained by Space News, also asks NASA to provide a cost estimate for accelerating the first operational flight of Ares 1 and Orion from the current target date of March 2015 to as soon as 2013, NASA was not asked to study the cost implications of canceling any of its other programs, including the significantly overbudget 2009 Mars Science Laboratory or the James Webb Space Telescope.
According to the article, Obama seems to be committed towards keeping COTS alive (which is great news for companies like SpaceX and Bigelow Aerospace).
While Ares I and Ares V do have have their fair share of critics, canceling either may end up hurting America’s chances of beating China back to the Moon–unless a viable alternative can be found.
Note: If President Elect Obama decides to cancel the Ares rockets, NASA may want to consider teaming up with India and Japan, in order to make up for the short fall in funding (as well as support).
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Victory!!! SpaceX Falcon 1 Launch A Success! (Video)
(Hat Tip: Space Transport News )
After three previous launches that ended prematurely, it looks as if SpaceX has finally launched their Falcon 1 rocket, setting a stage for NewSpace (aka the private space sector) and more importantly humanity.
Here is a link (windows media player) to the video for those of you who might have missed the launch. an image of the Falcon rocket at liftoff.
Here is a video of the launch (hat tip: Space Transport News).
Note: Space Transport News has more!
Update: Some are saying that the video is linking to the second launch. I will see if I can hunt down a video towards the fourth launch (as SpaceX has yet to post an official video of the launch an official video of the launch in their gallery section).
Update 2: Clark via Space Transport News has found a video of the launch via YouTube! 
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China: Building A Better Rocket
Even though the China lacks the technological superiority to challenge the US today, the Asian giant is making great strides in order to become a major space power (and rival) tomorrow.
(Space Daily) With four boosters, the 59.5-meter-high environmentally friendly rocket’s launching weight would reach 643 tonnes. It would be able to deliver a 25-tonne payload to an LEO, compared with the present 10 tonnes, and a 14-tonne payload to a GEO, compared with 5.5 tonnes now, said China Central Television in a report.
The 14-tonne payload to a GEO means the rocket can carry a heavier satellite or more satellites at one time while the 25-tonne payload to an LEO will enable it to carry the Shenzhou-series spacecraft, said Li Dong, a designer of Long MarchV.
While their rockets are still unable to deliver their citizens beyond Earth orbit, they are slowly (but steadily) improving their technology, and perhaps dreaming of the day when they land one of their own Taikonauts upon lunar soil.
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Video: NASA Promo For Constellation Mission
(Hat Tip: Space.com)
NASA has released another video highlighting their Constellation mission, which features new space suits that will protect them as they venture upon the lunar surface.
Even though it has the backing of Congress, America’s space agency has been facing criticism over the Ares I Rocket, which some view as a “failure waiting to happen.”
While alternatives have been proposed (such as the Direct Launcher), none have been able to make it beyond the “powerpoint stage” and into reality. Despite the criticisms, NASA is assuring everyone that the Ares I rocket is fine, and will fly towards the heavnes with its bigger brother Ares V.
If successful NASA plans on establishing a few lunar outposts which will hopefully spark humanities interest in retaking the stars (not to mention colonizing every planet, moon and dwarf planet along the way).
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NASA: Our Study Shows Ares Can Deliver Us Lunar Side
With Congressional backing behind them, it looks as if NASA is pressing forward with the Constellation program after a nine month study confirmed what NASA already suspected–that the Ares V rocket can return the space agency towards former glory.
(NASA) “We confirmed that Constellation’s conceptual designs for both Ares V and Altair will enable us to land astronauts and cargo anywhere on the moon and to build an outpost supporting widespread exploration of the lunar surface,” said Jeff Hanley, Constellation Program manager at Johnson. “This extensive review proves we are ready for the next phase: taking these concepts and moving forward to establish mature requirements.” [...]
The review refined early configurations of the Ares V rocket to ensure its capability to deliver the Altair lunar lander, four astronauts and cargo anywhere on the moon and return the crew to Earth at any time. To accomplish those objectives, the current configuration of the Ares V will use six RS-68B liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen engines on a core stage along with two five-and-one-half segment solid propellant rocket boosters, which are a direct evolution from the first stage of the Ares I rocket. The Ares V upper stage will propel the Orion crew capsule and Altair to the moon using the same J-2X engine as the Ares I crew launch vehicle. The Ares V will stand about 381 feet tall and be able to send more than 156,600 pounds of cargo and components into orbit to the moon, and later to Mars or other destinations.
Altair will be capable of landing four astronauts anywhere on the moon, providing life support and a base for the first week-long surface exploration missions, and returning the crew to the Orion spacecraft for the ride home to Earth.
Even though a few space advocates are proposing an alternate “safer” path to reach Earth’s nearest neighbor (hat tip: Space Pragmatism), NASA is probably determined to finish the path that it has started.
While there is no mention of dropping a few roaming space bases upon the lunar surface, it is good to see NASA focused upon returning humans to the lunar surface.
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SpaceX Adds NASA As A Future Client
SpaceX, an emerging space corporation that is slowly (but surely) winning over NASA’s affection has been awarded a contract by the space agency in order to transport cargo into orbit.
(NASA Press Release) NASA has awarded Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, a NASA Launch Services contract for the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch vehicles. [...]
The contract is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract where NASA may order launch services through June 30, 2010, for launches to occur through December 2012. Under the NASA Launch Services IDIQ contracts, the potential total contract value is between $20,000 and $1 billion, depending on the number of missions awarded.
The contract seeks a launch capability for payloads weighing 551 pounds or heavier into a circular orbit of 124 miles at an orbital inclination of 28.5 degrees. Payloads would be launched to support three NASA mission directorates: Science, Space Operations and Exploration Systems.
Despite the fact that this deals mainly with cargo, SpaceX is one of the few companies attempting at lowering the cost of launching humans and objects into space, thereby making it easier for corporations to enter into space.
If successful, Elon Musk (the CEO of SpaceX) may be able to help humanity not only reach the Moon, but Mars as well.
(Image Credit: SpaceX)
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Video: Why Romania May Win The Google Lunar X-Prize
With almost a dozen teams competing for Google’s Lunar X-Prize, one would probably expect a team located within a major space power to dominate this international space race.
While a few teams are presenting innovative ways of landing on the Moon, most have yet to figure out how to leave their home planet without going broke.
Ironically their seems to be only one team that has created an inexpensive way of sending their “little rover” beyond our sky–and the fact that this team is located in Romania may humble competing teams in both the US and Canada.
(Arca Space) HAAS is an innovative air-launched, 3 stages orbital rocket, preliminary designed in 2006 using the technology developed at ARCA during The Ansari X Prize Competition and The European Private Manned Space Program. The rocket was named after Conrad Haas* (1509-1579) Austrian-Romanian medieval rocket pioneer, the first creator of multiple stages rockets. [...]
The HAAS rocket will be lifted at 18.000m altitude with the help of a 2.000.000 m3 Solar Montgolfier balloon.
While this “balloon rocket launch” may not be fit for humans, it may enable colonists to cheaply send supplies to the surface of the Moon, ensuring that our future lunar citizens do not starve to death.
Note: Even though the “solar volley ball” may not be suitable for lunar colonists in the future, it will probably have enough fuel to win the $30 million prize from Google, not to mention securing Romania’s place in the history books.
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SpaceX Engine Firings Give New Hope
(Hat Tip: Commercial Space Watch, Video Below)
While most NewSpace companies either dreaming of reaching the stars (or seeking government backing before they can visit the stars), SpaceX is slowly, but surely laying down the foundation for when they will send rockets past Earthen skies.
Even though they still have quite a distance to go before they launch humans into space, SpaceX’s test multiple engine firings are giving hope that the commercial sector can pick up where the public left off.
(SpaceX Press Release) The engines operated at full power, generating over 180,000 pounds of force, equivalent to a Boeing 777 at full power, and consuming 700 lbs per second of fuel and liquid oxygen during the run.
“This is a major hardware milestone for our company,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “It marks the first time that we have simultaneously fired two engines on the same stage. No significant problems were encountered transitioning from single engine testing in November, which suggests that we will be able to ramp up rapidly to a full complement of nine Merlin engines. Our propulsion and test team has done a remarkable job.” [...]
SpaceX has designed its Merlin engine for rapid mounting and change-out. A new engine can be installed in a period of hours, a feature that will provide significant operational efficiency and responsiveness on the launch pad.
With the recent successful firings of their Merlin engines, SpaceX is not only on track to fulfill their launch schedule, but they may also help fill in for NASA after the agency retires its shuttle fleet.
SpaceX hopes to eventually bring down the prices of launching rockets into space, which may help make the industry competitive on an international scale. If successful, Elon Musk’s space “rebel” company may help spur innovation once again, which could ultimately lead towards cheap reliable access to space (aka CRATS).
Exit Question: If SpaceX continues to build upon its previous success, will its future stock make it worth more than Google?
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Is Florida Corning The American Space Market?
Ironically while the space tourism industry seems to be centered around the upcoming green spaceport in New Mexico, Florida is aligning itself with the major movers and shakers in the space industry.
After previously forming a partnership with Bigelow Aerospace, Florida has secured a future relationship with SpaceX (aka Space Exploration Technologies).
(Space Fellowship) Cape Canaveral FL – Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) held official ground breaking ceremonies today at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, opening a new era in commercial space operations. SLC-40 will be the primary launch site for SpaceX’s new Falcon 9 launch vehicle, with operations beginning in late 2008. [...]
“Initiating activities at the Cape in Florida is a major milestone in our mission to decrease the cost of reliable access to space,” said Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, at the ceremony.
“This is truly the beginning of a new era in commercial space in Florida and we are thrilled to help bring SpaceX to Florida” commented Space Florida CEO Steve Kohler, who also participated in the ceremony.
Florida is already home to the Kennedy Space Center, which has been responsible for most (if not all) of America’s human space launches (at least in the public sector).
With SpaceX and Bigelow Aerospace looking towards the sun shine state as a launching pad, Florida may gain a strategic advantage (long term wise) over its other 49 brethren.
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China Building Greener, Heavier Rockets
With all of the talk regarding global warming (whether you believe its real or not), one thing is for certain–people are paying a lot more attention on how we treat our environment.
In order to keep up with the times, the red dragon from the east has not only decided to create larger rockets, but make them environmentally friendly as well.
(Space Daily) China is building a new range of carrier rockets designed to send heavyweight satellites into space, boosting the current carrying capacity by nearly three times, a space expert has said. The Long March 5 rockets will be able to carry payloads of up to 25 tons for low earth orbit satellites, up from the current limit of 9.2 tons, said Wu Yansheng, president of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), which is developing the new series of launch vehicles. [...]
In addition to bigger capacity, the Long March 5 rockets will be designed using pollution-free technologies, Wu said.
While building “greener” rockets may mean little to future lunar (and Martian) colonists, it literally means the world to citizens of Earth. There is no point in humanity going to the stars if it translates into trashing our home planet.
Update: Edited title for clarity.
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Will Ion Engines Replace Chemical Rockets?
Probably not, as chemical rockets are the undisputed champions when it comes to launching anything from Earth’s surface to beyond the sky. However when it comes to general interplanetary travel, chemical rockets may find themselves taking a back seat towards their “star trek” cousins.
(Physorg.com) An ion engine prototype developed at NASA’s Glenn Research Center has now accumulated more than 12,000 hours of operation and processed over 245 kilograms of xenon, setting a record for most propellant throughput ever demonstrated by an ion engine.
The engine is the critical component of NASA’s Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) system, which uses xenon gas and solar electric power to drive future robotic science spacecraft to distant asteroids, comets, planets and their moons. [...]
Today’s chemical propulsion systems get their big boost and then coast at constant speed until the next boost. An ion engine can produce its small thrust continually and thereby provide near constant acceleration and shorter travel times. Ion propulsion is also ten times more fuel efficient than chemical onboard propulsion systems. This greater efficiency means less propellant is needed for a mission. Spacecraft can then be smaller and lighter, with lower launch costs.
For human missions, future space craft may have to employ both chemical and ion rockets, the former to get off world and the latter to travel in between the planets.
Note: The ion engine is currently being used by the Dawn Spacecraft which was recently launched in order to provide more information about the asteroid Vesta and the dwarf planet Ceres.
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Video: Direct Launcher A Better Alternative To Ares?
(Hat Tip: Hobby Space, Video below post)
It looks like a new rocket is in town, which may not only be able to lift cargo into orbit sooner than Ares I and Ares V rockets (which have yet to be built), but may be much more affordable as well.
(Direct Launcher) DIRECT is an alternative approach to launching missions planned under NASA’s new mandate: The Vision for Space Exploration (VSE). DIRECT would replace the separate Ares-I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) and Ares-V Cargo Launch Vehicle (CaLV) with one single “Jupiter” launcher, capable of performing both roles.
This change to NASA’s architecture completely removes the costs & risks associated with developing and operating a second launcher system, saving NASA $19 Billion in development costs, and a further $16 Billion in operational costs over the next 20 years.
DIRECT’s single launcher system would use existing Space Transportation System (AKA the Space Shuttle) facilities and hardware to lift over 45 tons (in basic configuration) up to more than 100 tons (with an Upper Stage).
Direct’s Jupiter rocket may be a Godsend to NASA, as it would enable the agency to reduce its “gap” (the period of time after the shuttle is grounded and when NASA builds a new rocket) by about two years.
Hopefully NASA takes a serious look at this as the Jupiter rockets could enable them to build their lunar beachheads much sooner.
Video: A demonstration of the launch of a Jupiter-120 headed for the ISS. Credit: Direct Launcher)
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Video: Can SpaceX Build A Reliable Rocket Ship?
(Image: The first flight-ready Merlin engine on display at the DARPATech event in Anaheim CA, August 2007, before shipment to Texas for qualification testing. Credit: SpaceX)
While many rocket companies within the NewSpace arena focus on thrust for power or cheaper prices, it looks as if SpaceX, led by Elon Musk is seeking to build a world class, reliable rocket ship.
(SpaceX Press Release) More than anything else, the Falcon 9 design is absolutely focused on reliability. This is one of the few launch vehicles in the world designed to the higher safety and reliability standards required for manned spaceflight. Before carrying astronauts to the International Space Station, the Falcon 9 will undergo an intense NASA safety review and will be required to have far higher structural safety margins and ability to tolerate sub-system failure than are needed simply to launch satellites.
A significant advantage of the Falcon 9 is the ability to lose any engine on the first stage and still safely complete the mission, much as a Boeing 747 can lose an engine and still be ok. Like jet engines, each of our Falcon 9 Merlin engines is wrapped in a Nomex and Kevlar flak jacket, so that even a worst case fire or explosion is contained and cannot affect other engines or the stage itself. In the event of an engine failure, it just means that the first stage will fire for a little longer than would otherwise be the case.
Only time will tell whether or not SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will raise the standard within the industry. If the Falcon 9 is successful, SpaceX will probably find itself in the unique position of having too many customers desiring to launch their cargo aboard their rockets.
(Video: Merlin 1C engine firing on the vertical test stand. The blast extends dozens of feet and is ducted out to the side in a long trench. Credit: SpaceX)
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Carnival Of The Space Geeks (Version 14.0)
Fraser from Universe Today was able to host last weeks Carnival of space, which boasted an impressive list of ideas and concepts that would make even Mike Griffin of NASA proud (or at least mildly entertained).
Interesting roundups included:
- Stuart from Cumbrian Sky discusses the passion behind humanities quest towards the stars.
- Phil on Phil for Humanity breaks down the robots vs humans debate, with a surprise ending.
- Louise on A Babe in the Universe highlights an inexpensive way for placing telescopes on the moon (hopefully NASA will check that one out).
- Jon Goff of Selenian Boondocks enlightens everyone that the moon may be more interesting than we previously thought.
- Brian Wang of Advanced Nanotechnology informs everyone how the Liberty Ship could lift more cargo into space.
But the best post by far of this carnival belongs to the mysterious author of Space files, who highlights how NASA is seeking ways to pull oxygen from lunar dust.
(Space files) Eric Cardiff – who is leading a group at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center that is searching for ways of providing oxygen for human Mars and Moon missions – says that we simply have to evaporate the soil. Cardiff is working on a technology that can heat the soil to a high enough temperature for it to release the oxygen bound in it. Every oxide has such a temperature, at which it simply disintegrates into its constituents. This technique is called vacuum pyrolysis (where pyro stand for “fire” that is used to decompose (“lysis”) the stuff. A lot of reasons suggest that pyrolysis is the best method: it doesn’t need materials that have to be brought there from Earth, or any sort of strange or expensive stuff. Lunar dust collected in place have to be heated and that’s it, there’s your valuable oxygen.
Although getting into space is half the battle, remain their alive (and healthy) sums up the “entire war.” If NASA and other private groups can find innovative ways of extracting oxygen from lunar soil, humanity will not only have all the oxygen that they will need for space, but an interesting propellant for fuel as well.
Future colonists could then easily market their lunar oxygen to other outposts throughout the solar system, exchanging it for Martian water or precious metals from the asteroid belt.
If humanity is unable to convert lunar soil into oxygen, then Earth’s nearest neighbor may house only a few thousand brave souls at its max. But if NASA is able to convert this white regolith into breathable air, then tens of millions of individuals may learn to call our moon, home.
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Establish First Contact (& Subscribe)
Love of Lunar
Martian Delights
Interplanetary Essays
