A Quixotic Quest to Mine Asteroids

[dennislmay]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303513404577356190967904210.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

"The venture, called Planetary Resources Inc., revealed little in a press release this week except to say that it would "overlay two critical sectors—space exploration and natural resources—to add trillions of dollars to the global GDP" and "help ensure humanity's prosperity." The company is formally unveiling its plans at an event Tuesday in Seattle."

Dennis May

[BaalChatzaf]

http://online.wsj.co..._LEFTTopStories

"The venture, called Planetary Resources Inc., revealed little in a press release this week except to say that it would "overlay two critical sectors—space exploration and natural resources—to add trillions of dollars to the global GDP" and "help ensure humanity's prosperity." The company is formally unveiling its plans at an event Tuesday in Seattle."

Dennis May

I wish them good luck. First they have to overcome some problems. Not the least of which is to find a decent propulsion system which can shorten the trip beyond the orbit of Mars to something under 6 month. Long trips are very bad for the health of astronauts. Cosmic radiation and the degeneration of bone tissue in low gravity for starters. Then there is the matter of being cooped up in a tin can for months on end, drinking the urine of the crew (purified an recycled, of course) and smelling their body odor. The issue of the human factor is as much an issue as is the technical scientific matter of propulsion.

The members of Magellan's crew was cut off from land for months on end, but at least they could breath fresh air and see the sky. Travelers in space are "spam in the can" and there is little that can be done about it. The crews will have to be carefully selected for psychological stability to function in such trying circumstances. The mining ship will be a cramped smelly thing and not the least bit like Enterprise or Battle Star Gallactica. And forget about the holodecks. They are not going to happen.

Ba'al Chatzaf

[Brant Gaede]

http://online.wsj.co..._LEFTTopStories

"The venture, called Planetary Resources Inc., revealed little in a press release this week except to say that it would "overlay two critical sectors—space exploration and natural resources—to add trillions of dollars to the global GDP" and "help ensure humanity's prosperity." The company is formally unveiling its plans at an event Tuesday in Seattle."

Dennis May

I wish them good luck. First they have to overcome some problems. Not the least of which is to find a decent propulsion system which can shorten the trip beyond the orbit of Mars to something under 6 month. Long trips are very bad for the health of astronauts. Cosmic radiation and the degeneration of bone tissue in low gravity for starters. Then there is the matter of being cooped up in a tin can for months on end, drinking the urine of the crew (purified an recycled, of course) and smelling their body odor. The issue of the human factor is as much an issue as is the technical scientific matter of propulsion.

The members of Magellan's crew was cut off from land for months on end, but at least they could breath fresh air and see the sky. Travelers in space are "spam in the can" and there is little that can be done about it. The crews will have to be carefully selected for psychological stability to function in such trying circumstances. The mining ship will be a cramped smelly thing and not the least bit like Enterprise or Battle Star Gallactica. And forget about the holodecks. They are not going to happen.

Ba'al Chatzaf

You'll need an atomic propulsion system.

--Brant

[BaalChatzaf]

You'll need an atomic propulsion system.

--Brant

Something beyond Burn and Coast. Our propulsion systems are not advanced (in principle) beyond what the Chinese invented 1700 years ago.

Flame in a tube.

Ba'al Chatzaf

[dennislmay]

Another link on the story.

http://news.yahoo.com/asteroid-mining-venture-backed-google-execs-james-cameron-011205183.html

[BaalChatzaf]

Another link on the story.

http://news.yahoo.co...-011205183.html

The next logical place to go is back to the Moon and learn how to live there long term. For practical use, we could build Telescope City on the dark side to get the best seeing in human history and mine Helium-3 which is the only and outside chance to make fusion practical. After we get the routine down pat on the Moon we can go out to the asteroids.

Ba'al Chatzaf