Plz add ur ideas...
2007-07-03 02:43:51 · 8 answers · asked by Siddharth 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Due to the moons lower gravity than Earth (only 1/16 of earth’s gravity) and the fact the most of the moon is powdery, it is ideal for cheap mining and mineral processing operations. Unlike on Earth, heavy machinery will not always be required for moon mining. Of all the resources available on the moon, the lunar regolith is most amenable to mining. Mineral contained in the lunar regolith include oxygen, silicon, magnesium, iron, calcium, aluminum and titanium.
Two notable lunar mineral are ilmenite, which is a iron titanium oxide and anorthite, which is similar to the earth mineral bauxite – a major source of aluminum. “Moon Mining” projects NASA has include investigating mining for materials that can be used for construction purposes on the moon. Things that can be made from materials mined on the moon include: Concrete, Sulfur Concrete, Cast Basalt, Sintered Basalt, Fiberglass, Cast Glass, and Metals. For more info see NASA’s Mining and Manufacturing on the Moon Link at http://aerospacescholars.jsc.nasa.gov/HAS/cirr/em/6/6.cfm
Another major focus of “moon mining” is on Oxygen and Hydrogen. Popular Science magazine has a write-up and video clip titled “Mining the Moon.” At the following link, there is a photo of NASA’s “Moon-Mining Craft” and a video of NASA efforts to mine oxygen and hydrogen from the lunar soil. http://www.popsci.com/popsci/aviationspace/a853566e529bb010vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html
2007-07-03 20:05:47 · answer #1 · answered by Metallic stuff 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We do have aspirations of mining the moon in the future. They have discovered large amount of He 2 gas on the moons surface. The only way it is found on earth is from old nuclear bombs. The advantage of He 2 gas is that it is an alternative energy source to fossil fuels. It may very well be our energy source in the future. Therefore mining the moon for it would be necessary. Also it wouldn't be a bad idea to colonize it either because it would serve as a good launch pad for exploring the cosmos and would cost us lesser amounts of money to blast something off because it would already be in space on the moon. Hoped it answered your question.
2007-07-03 04:23:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Moon base = low gravity base for operations, processing and manufacturing. Possible site for heavy industry and/or shipbuilding. We would be able to mine nearby asteriod fields and tug their resources to the moon base without having such a high gravity that it would be hard to control the object.
Zero gravity manufacturing and processing will also be a plus, as exotic or new materials can be discovered.
Great place for a resort, And for a cruise-ship type vessel (would have to be constructed in orbit) to go to and from for cruises.
2007-07-03 05:31:36 · answer #3 · answered by sbravosystems 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
On the face of it it seems like a great idea but give it some thought. The amount of energy and the financial burden would probably make it not cost effective.
2007-07-09 12:49:48 · answer #4 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just to correct the first poster its he3 they found not he2 well they did but its he3 that is important cos there is very little on earth and its used in medical applications
2007-07-10 05:15:42 · answer #5 · answered by david_m_grogan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, why not...all things are possible. Maybe an NBA franchise, too.
Good luck with your project!
2007-07-10 04:55:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, all possible in the distant future, after we figure out basic long-term survival technology first.
Is this homework?
2007-07-03 02:51:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Those could be good but we should have a telescope up there that could take pictures ,that would be fantastic.
2007-07-03 05:40:07 · answer #8 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋