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View Full Version : Shackleton Mining & Stone Aerospace


Bluesteel
08-21-2009, 08:21 AM
Does anyone know any more about these companies, or have contacts?

Looks like they have capability and are serious about mining the Shakleton Crater on the Moon for volatiles for an Orbital 'Gas Station':

http://www.stoneaerospace.com

http://www.stoneaerospace.com/news-/news-latest.php

http://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/space-flight/mining-the-moon

Looks like they have a track record in developing hardware and software for extreme environment exploration.

I also like their Design Philosophy:

Design Philosophy

Rapid Prototype Design, Fabrication, and Test at Stone Aerospace

In order to move fast on product design and development we’ve developed some rules and methods at Stone Aerospace that are different from traditional large aerospace concerns.

Rule #1: nothing is impossible (unless it violates the laws of physics)

Rule #2: bend the laws of physics if you can

Rule #3: brainstorm it, build it, and get it out into the field for test as rapidly as possible
(you only truly learn if it works by testing it in the real deal)

Rule #4: design it as if your life depended on it (many of our products are, in fact,
for manned systems and our staff are personally involved in field testing
and use of our designs in extremely hazardous environments)

Rule #5: Get the customer what they want in the least possible time for the best price

Julian

Sam Fraser
08-21-2009, 02:44 PM
I'm heartened to read "Rapid Prototype Design, Fabrication, and Test[ing]". The one thing that got me down a little on the thread about the AMSAT approach was a comment (by klaks, I think) about engineering students taking two years to build an asteroid probe. Maybe I'm just too impatient! :rolleyes:

Rhyshaelkan
08-21-2009, 07:20 PM
Life is short. Anyone that tells you otherwise is too young to understand. ;)