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2009-07-21 Home Front: Culture Wars

Lileks on Apollo: "...each planet would feel like a blank page in a passport..."

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Posted by Mike 2009-07-21 06:48|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 The problem with returning to the Moon is that NASA is caught up in reinventing the wheel. It loves to do basic research, but abhors the practical efforts needed for a long term, cumulative mission.

This means that the robots that should go to the Moon should not do much of any kind of basic research, but should instead mine hard rock tunnels, slowly and methodically, over the course of a year or two, so that when astronauts return to the Moon, much of their habitat will have been built.

Out of the vacuum, enhanced and cosmic radiation, extremes of heat and cold, and the very abrasive Lunar dust. By not having to bring their habitat with them each time they go to the Moon, they can bring much more supplies and equipment.

The robots would have to be nuclear powered, and once their mission was over, that nuclear furnace could provide abundant energy for the astronauts.

The robots' lander would be on a one way mission, so should be cannibalized for pressure doors, reinforcing rod, floors, walls and ceiling. Once mined, the tunnels should be reinforced with ceiling rods, then sprayed with sealant against micro fissures.

Once the pressure doors are installed, the cave could even be pressure tested for leaks. And once the astronauts had arrived, the robots could be used to tunnel for water ice.

Posted by Anonymoose 2009-07-21 14:36|| 2009-07-21 14:36|| Front Page Top

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