Space tugs

[Doug]

Here is an interesting story supporting developing a space tug boat system.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1401

[joertexas]

Here is an interesting story supporting developing a space tug boat system.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1401

I like this idea - especially if we get to supply it with lunar derived fuel ;-)

JR

[JohnHunt]

I like this idea - especially if we get to supply it with lunar derived fuel ;-)

Yes, are there any deal killers in terms of being able to achieve lunar-derived fuel to LEO?

- Might an Aquarius rocket system provide lower cost water to LEO than we could get through a multi-step development and equipment turnover approach to lunar water?

- Is the density of water anywhere on the surface of the Moon just too low to justify extraction & processing?

- Is using equipment in cryogenic environments just not feasible? Even if we had heating elements or mirrors on the rim of the crater shining sunlight on the work space.


A separate question:

- Is the lower delta-v of burnt-out comet NEOs and the lack of the need of a lander (dock with the NEO instead) so beneficial that it overcomes the difficulty with teleoperations delays, travel times, and lack of gravity useful for mining?

[joertexas]

Yes, are there any deal killers in terms of being able to achieve lunar-derived fuel to LEO?

- Might an Aquarius rocket system provide lower cost water to LEO than we could get through a multi-step development and equipment turnover approach to lunar water?

- Is the density of water anywhere on the surface of the Moon just too low to justify extraction & processing?

- Is using equipment in cryogenic environments just not feasible? Even if we had heating elements or mirrors on the rim of the crater shining sunlight on the work space.


A separate question:

- Is the lower delta-v of burnt-out comet NEOs and the lack of the need of a lander (dock with the NEO instead) so beneficial that it overcomes the difficulty with teleoperations delays, travel times, and lack of gravity useful for mining?

The answer to the first three questions is - we need to run and find out. The evidence we have so far indicates that there is enough water ice in the lunar polar regions to justify unmanned expeditions to assay it. I haven't seen any reports from the LRO, but the earlier missions' data looks promising.

The cost of launching anything from the moon to LEO is much less than launching the same resources from Earth - once we get the basic infrastructure in place on the moon.

The extremely cold environments in the lunar ice traps are in isolated locations, at least at the lunar north pole. I think one good solution would be to locate solar power stations at the rim of a crater, and feed power to the digger with a cable. That way, the digger can stay reasonably warm without having to run back and forth to recharge and warm itself. Also, the different systems (electrical, hydraulic) put out heat, so that will help keep the machinery warm, too.

The issue with asteroid mining from LEO is fuel, especially given the current engine technology. We can reach the moon and begin mining operations with the tech we have right now. Anythng else is out of reach until we can get lunar derived fuel. Once we do, though, the asteroid mission is back on ;)

JR