Use of Non-Terrestrial Materials for Large-Scale Space Activities

by Gregg E. Maryniak, Space Studies Inst, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space

Abstract:

As the space program matures, space construction will evolve from assembly and deployment of systems fabricated on the Earth to projects constructed from locally available resources. The creation of large, permanent facilities of considerable economic value in space will be closer to traditional civil engineering projects than to the present aerospace model. The principal barrier to the settlement of the space frontier is the high cost of launching material from the surface of the Earth to Earth orbit. Therefore, it is necessary to use non-terrestrial materials for space construction projects. This article discusses space activities that will require non-terrestrial materials, and how the materials will be used.

Subject Headings: Construction materials | Space construction | Space exploration | Space colonies | Lunar materials | Project management | Flight

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