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Post by samchiu2000 on Nov 1, 2017 13:50:57 GMT
First of all, I think that many of you are familiar with the concept of asteroid mining, which mean mining valuable material from asteroid, such as platinum group metal and rare earth mineral. But recently I found that there is a better option- our moon. For billions of years asteroids crashed in Luna, and a significant proportion of them contain valuable metal, which should be profitable to mine. There are several advantage of mining Luna rather than asteroid: 1.The distance between Luna from earth is much closer than asteroids. While it take time on the order of several months or even years, a trip to Luna only take less than half a week, which save time on transportation between mining bases and earth. 2.The light lag between Luna and earth is much shorter than these from asteroids, which enable a much more centralized management of mining operation and mining facilities can be more automated due to short communication lag from earth. 3.Luna gravitation is roughly 0.16 g as we know, and it actually enable a easier mining process. While it may take less energy for excavation of the mining site, micro-gravity could to dangerous to mining equipment, as these raw mineral could turn into shaped fragment flying around if not managed properly during the process of turning them into valuable product, which is not a major issue on Luna due to the gravity. So what's your choice, asteroid or Luna? Feel free to tell us what you think!  |
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Post by The Astronomer on Nov 1, 2017 14:06:34 GMT
Of course, Luna would look much more attractive as a realistic choice. What mining operation can be done with asteroids, they can also be done, and better, on Luna.
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Post by bigbombr on Nov 1, 2017 16:16:02 GMT
Both. Lunar mining seems easier, but runs into problems: the craters with the most valuable materials are either already known or would soon be, meaning a lot of competition and possibly conflict. Light lag is barely noticeable, which makes mining and fighting easier.
Asteroid mining seems lower risk, lower reward in comparison, light lag and long travel distances means fighting is harder, and avoiding a fight is easier.
Lunar mining can easily be used for the the construction of massive telescopes, which unlike terrestrial telescopes aren't hindered by an atmosphere, and aren't as limited in side as telescopes that are launched into orbit (like the Hubble).
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Post by Hicks on Nov 3, 2017 7:49:13 GMT
Luna. Mostly for the much faster response if something goes wrong. Space us deadly, but at least you won't starve to death waiting for rescue, and it is far easier to stretch the life support for a week if you're on the moon than the months it would take to be rescued from the belt. Plus, industrializing the moon would make it competitive with asteroid mining reletively cheaply with current technology; a lunar space elevator can be made out of Kevlar.
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Post by bigbombr on Nov 3, 2017 8:36:41 GMT
Luna. Mostly for the much faster response if something goes wrong. Space us deadly, but at least you won't starve to death waiting for rescue, and it is far easier to stretch the life support for a week if you're on the moon than the months it would take to be rescued from the belt. Plus, industrializing the moon would make it competitive with asteroid mining reletively cheaply with current technology; a lunar space elevator can be made out of Kevlar. Lofstrom launch loops and mass drivers also work marvelously on Luna. |
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Post by matterbeam on Nov 3, 2017 12:01:39 GMT
Asteroids before Luna.
The Moon is safe and nearby. But it cannot promise the vast wealth that will incite people to put more money in a self-perpetuating cycle. You don't have quadrillion dollar rockets or mountain-sized blobs of minerals undisturbed since the formation of the solar system.
Once asteroid mining has realized the its potential by dropping a few tons of platinum on the markets, an actual economy will start with people building rocks, sending them to an asteroid and getting a lot of money a few years later. In this economy, Luna has a role to play. It can be a staging base for asteroid mining - the deltaV from Earth to an asteroid will always be at least 11km/s higher than from the Moon to an asteroid.
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Post by newageofpower on Nov 3, 2017 18:39:11 GMT
Some industrial processes are done better in zero or microgravity, but overall it is far easier to develop an industrial base around Luna than an asteroid.
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Post by Kerr on Nov 3, 2017 19:06:14 GMT
Some industrial processes are done better in zero or microgravity, but overall it is far easier to develop an industrial base around Luna than an asteroid. Yes, but an asteroid provides a far more compact source of precious ores. On planet's/moon/spherical bodies most metals sink into deeper layers, an asteroid could be an complete piece of platinum, cobalt, iron and other metals. Building an industrial base on the moon isn't cheap either if you don't have some nice lofstrom loop or an Laser launch system, but the later might be a good near term candidate when you look at the current grow of fiber lasers and high energy storage systems. |
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Post by samchiu2000 on Nov 4, 2017 0:50:38 GMT
Some industrial processes are done better in zero or microgravity, but overall it is far easier to develop an industrial base around Luna than an asteroid. Building an industrial base on the moon isn't cheap either if you don't have some nice lofstrom loop or an Laser launch system, but the later might be a good near term candidate when you look at the current grow of fiber lasers and high energy storage systems. Nice point! Thanks for sharing it with us  |
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