A Phased Approach to Lunar-Based Agriculture
A manned lunar outpost will require agricultural facilities to provide for self-sufficiency. This paper examines a three phase approach which incorporates research on crop optimization....
Extraterrestrial Applications of Solar Optics for Interior Illumination
The major purpose of this paper is to introduce a terrestrial technology that we believe has potential extra-terrestrial applications. The technology is Solar Optics, which is subdivided...
Mobile Helium-3 Mining and Extraction System and Its Benefits Toward Lunar Base Self-Sufficiency
The D-He3 fueled nuclear fusion reaction has long been recognized as one of the most attractive for generating clean fusion energy. Although aware of its virtues, fusion researchers had...
Explosives Research for Lunar Applications: A Review
Experimental explosives research for lunar operations is reviewed. Each research project had a different objective and together their findings showed that using explosives on the moon...
Extraterrestrials Excavation and Mining with Explosives
Explosion excavation technology may become a valuable tool for economic and efficient base station construction on extraterrestrial bodies. Criteria for explosives which can safely be...
Lunar Agricultural Requirements Definition
Requirements are presented for an agricultural system that would supply a lunar base. This agricultural system consists of plant growth units established within pressurized modules. Each...
Structures for the Moon
Lunar structures present new challenges for structural engineers. By articulating lunar conditions in terms of various 'causes,' e.g. high transportation costs...
The Expandable Platform as a Structure on the Moon
This discussion will show how the expandable platform, initially designed for earth, is translated for use on the moon, and how it answers a multitude of problems while it is used for...
Lunar Oxygen Production from Ilmenite
Carbotek has developed a process for oxygen production from ilmenite-rich lunar deposits to support lunar base operations and large-volume propulsion needs. The reduction of iron oxide...
Plasma Processing of Lunar Ilmenite to Produce Oxygen
In order to make a space industry economic, a reliable extraterrestrial source of oxygen must be identified for immediate use. Lunar ilmenite has recently been considered as a candidate...
Basing Options for Lunar Oxygen for Manned Mars Missions
The use of lunar oxygen to support lunar space transportation reduces Earth launch mass requirements by a factor of 2. In this paper, the authors show that lunar oxygen can also reduce...
Antarctic Research and Lunar Exploration: Useful Parallels
Review of the process of scientific exploration in the Antarctic may provide insights into areas that might pose problems to man when further exploration of the lunar surface is begun....
Strategy for Design and Construction of Lunar Facilities
This paper summarizes the results of a qualitative investigation to identify methods for design and construction of near-term lunar facilities. It is judged that to accomplish such construction...
The Strategic Exploration Initiative - Lunar Basing
The Strategic Exploration Initiative (SEI), as conceived by the author in 1987, applies the weaponry of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to non-military goals. These include directed...
Nuclear Electric Propulsion for Near-Term Space Missions
Potential uses of nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) for earth-orbit, lunar, and martian missions are analyzed. NEP systems allow a higher payload mass fraction than chemical systems. NEP...
21st Century Astronomical Observatories on the Moon
The advantages and disadvantages of building astronomical observatories on the Moon are described. In many ways, the Moon is a superior environment for astronomy to that of the Earth's...
Lunar Automatic Photoelectric Telescopes (LAPTs)
I propose a lunar network of modest (approximately 1 m), robust telescopes designed for and dedicated to precise, time-serial monitoring of variable sources. Unhampered by atmospheric...
Advanced Technology for a Lunar Astronomical Observatory
Significant new technologies are required for three proposed telescopes to be operated on the Moon. These technologies are in the areas of contamination/interference control, test and...
Report on the International Space UniversityTM 1988 Summer Session and Lunar Design Project
This paper describes the 1988 Summer Session of the International Space University (ISU) and the International Lunar Initiative (ILI) Design Project, taking place for nine weeks in the...
Structural Art in the Lunar Environment
Building structures will be a necessary part of extending our presence on the moon. In designing and building these structures, aesthetic value will play a prominent role. History shows...
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