A Science Vision report about living on the Moon - how it can be don(e)

On the "return_to_the_moon" group,
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/return_to_the_moon/

Niclas Jacobsz posted the following:
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Many visionaries have designed and are still designing Moon bases and
space stations around Earth, but, as is usual in many such
presentations, ignore the basics of physics, engineering and specific
conditions, often in ignorance, or with a wishful "no problem"
attitude. Since the Apollo moon landings, we know quite a bit more
about the conditions of the Moon's surface, but the artist-designers
do not take these into account and are still in the science fiction
phase, or rather, fiction only.

As the engineer in electrics, mechanics and energy conversion systems
that I am, I make in this e-book a more realistic analysis of what is
possible and develop a program that can lead to establish the first
bases and settlements on the Moon, showing designs of such structures
and transport systems, with all the functions needed to live there
and as can be done with today's technology.

This is neither Science yet, nor is it Science Fiction. This is
Science Vision instead, the vision of what is, or may be possible
within known laws of physics and today's technology, but is yet to be
done. You can download the first chapter FOR FREE here:
http://www.draaisma.net/space-tourism/moon_base_landing.php

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You may like to take a look at the first chapter of his e-book and see
what you think.

The thoughts of large colonies on far away places paints pretty pictures
but doesn't show how you got there.

It looks like Niclas would like to show what is needed to get things started.

He questions how secure one would be on the fine powder of the regolith
and I think that has been answered by what the astronauts found with the
outings with the rovers.

I know that when you say, "powder", you may think of something soft like
talcum powder but I believe the ground up regolith was more like ground
up glass and compacted at a rather shallow depth.

I down loaded a 30.5 file on the work that is being done on making Lunar
Regolith Simulant Materials to see if my thinking was correct.
If you have the time and space you might like to look at it. See the
link below.
- LRK -

This big file is the result of a workshop on the same topic. Some links
to the workshop as well with smaller files of interest.

Hope we get some robots up there to bring back some samples in the
selected landing places so that we know what we will be dealing with.

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/
RSS link: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Newsletter: https://news.altair.com/mailman/listinfo/lunar-update

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http://isru.msfc.nasa.gov/
WELCOME to In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)
The In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is a core component of the
Vision for Space Exploration as implemented by the Science & Mission
Systems <http://sms.msfc.nasa.gov> (S&MS) Office. The ISRU works to
establish, evaluate and assess the in situ resources available on the
moon and Mars and the technologies needed to utilize and exploit these
resources. These research

and technology development areas will focus on technologies necessary to
extract consumables (O2, H2O, N2, He, etc.) for human life-support
system replenishment (ECLSS, EVA, etc.), source materials (feedstock)
for In Situ Fabrication and Repair (ISFR) technologies, and source
materials (composites, etc.) for radiation shielding and shelters from
in situ resources (lunar regolith and Martian regolith & atmosphere).
The transformation of in situ space resources into raw materials will be
studied through fundamental and applied experimental research,
theoretical modeling of processes, and technology development in the
areas of extractive and reactive processing, materials purification,
material transformation, materials shaping and handling, and
characterization of these processes in low-gravity environments.

*Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials Workshop*
<http://isru.msfc.nasa.gov/lib/workshops/lrsm2005.html> - January 24-26,
2005
Marshall Institute in Huntsville Alabama

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http://isru.msfc.nasa.gov/lib/Documents/PDF%20Files/NASA_TP_2006_214605.pdf
[30.5 MB PDF File, 142 pages]
NASA/TP_2006_214605
Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials:
Recommendations for Standardization,
Production, and Usage

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background
Lunar regolith is a mixture of rock, mineral, and glass fragments
transformed into a distinctive material by a unique combination of space
weathering processes. Lunar regolith makes up the lunar soil that covers
the surface of the Moon in thicknesses from centimeters to hundreds of
meters; it reflects the geological differences observed in the lunar
geography but also displays a remarkable uniformity in many physical
characteristics. As NASA prepares to return humans to the lunar surface
for a long-term presence, knowledge of the lunar materials and their
environment has been multiplied by the careful study of the lunar
samples returned by the Apollo missions that represent a diversity of
geological materials and processes. That critical knowledge, while still
limited, enables the definition of standard lunar regolith simulant
(SLRS) materials that should be used as lunar soil analogs in hardware
development and testing.

The Apollo program developed a set of standard lunar soil simulants to
test all surface systems in preparation for the lunar landings. This
approach was highly successful despite the limited knowledge of the
lunar surface at the time. These materials no longer exist and the
library of documents describing their compositions is incomplete.

Although a variety of simulant materials was used to test Apollo surface
systems, astronauts and mission controllers encountered several
challenging problems. Some of the problems encountered with the lunar
regolith resulted in the following:

* Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) slippage and crew sinkage in steep slopes
of loose regolith at crater edges.

* Inability and persisting difficulty of tools to penetrate lunar
regolith beyond tens of centimeters (core drilling tube, anchoring rods,
and severe abrasion during excavation).

* Lunar dust caused hardware failures, as follows:

* Failure of seals on all rock-boxes sealed in their original vacuum
(10-12 Torr) on the Moon, resulting in no pristine lunar samples
returned to Earth.

* Jamming of extension tool handles.

* Severe abrasion compromised the joints on extra vehicular activity
(EVA) suits resulting in pressure degradation and reduction in mobility.

* Unforeseen accumulation on the LRV radiators required extensive
astronaut time for unplanned cleaning tasks that proved ineffective.

* Accumulation of lunar soil particles on EVA suits resulted in dust
invasion of the lunar module and problems with reassembly of suits for
subsequent EVAs.

* Astronaut exposure to airborne dust causing physiological irritation.

The Apollo experience demonstrated the need for extensive testing of
surface systems with materials similar to the in situ lunar materials
that will be encountered. The Mars rovers have experienced operational
challenges in climbing slopes of loose soil that have required real-time
problem simulation in a test-bed utilizing simulant material. As NASA
considers a return to the Moon, the pressing need for SLRS materials is
further compounded by the fact that the remaining lunar sample inventory
currently available (~350 kg) is insufficient in quantity to support
lunar technology projects and its scientific value is too great to be
consumed by destructive studies. Every effort must be made to utilize
simulants.

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http://isru.msfc.nasa.gov/lib/workshops/lrsm2005.html

Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials Workshop
*/Organized by Marshall Space Flight Center in collaboration with
Johnson Space Center/*

*Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials* - January 24-26, 2005
Marshall Institute in Huntsville Alabama

/Dec 16, 2005/ - We have completed the Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials
Workshop Report, now titled "Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials:
Recommendations for Standardization, Production and Usage", and have
posted the "pre-release" version to the publications area of this
website. NASA publications will now take the document and place it in
the standard format for a NASA technical publication. A downloadable
version of the final release will be posted to the website as soon as it
is available along with information as to how to obtain a hardcopy
and/or CD of the document.

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http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/lrsm2005_program.html

Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials Workshop

*Working Session Handouts* - Posted Feb 17, 2005
LRSM_Handouts_ws.pdf
<http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/LRSM_Handouts_ws.pdf>
(File Size: 19.2 MB)

*Workshop Program - Current Status Jan 19, 2005*
LRSM_Program.pdf
<http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/LRSM_Program_jan19.pdf>

*Abstract Book - Current Status Jan 21, 2005*
LRSM_Abstract_Book.pdf
<http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/LRSM_Abstract_Book.pdf>
(File Size: 9.9 MB)

*Presentations - Day 1*

 * Laurent Sibille
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Sibille.pdf> -
   The Status of Lunar Simulant Materials, Workshop Overview and
   Objectives
 * Larry Taylor 
<http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/TAYLOR-Characterization-1-24-05.pdf>
   - Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Lunar Regolith:
   Considerations for Simulants
 * David McKay
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/McKay.pdf> -
   Evolution of the Lunar Regolith
 * Larry Taylor
 <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/TAYLOR-Geotech-Prop-1-24-05.pdf>
   - The Geotechnical Properties of the Lunar Regolith: From Equator
   to the Poles
 * Susan Batiste
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Batiste.pdf> -
   Lunar Regolith Simulant MLS-1: Production and Engineering Properties
 * Paul Carpenter
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Carpenter.pdf>
   - Characterization Strategies and Requirements for Lunar Regolith
   Simulant Materials
 * Paul Carpenter
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/CarpenterM_M2003.pdf>
   - JSC Mars-1 Martian Soil Simulant:Melting Experimentsand Electron
   Microprobe Studies
 * Greg Meeker
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Meeker.pdf> -
   Characterization of Chemical and Physical Properties of Proposed
   Simulant Materials
 * Steve Wilson
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Wilson.pdf> -
   Development of Geochemical Reference Materials at the United
   States Geological Survey
 * Masami Nakagawa
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Nakagawa.pdf> -
   The Moon as a Beach of Fine Powders
 * Russ Kerschmann
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Kerschmann.pdf>
   - Biological Effects of Lunar Surface Mineral Particulates
 * James Gaier
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day1/Gaier_LRSim_Wrkshp.pdf>
   - The Effects of Lunar Dust on Advanced EVA Systems: Lessons from
   Apollo

*Presentations - Day 2*

 * Gary Lofgren
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Lofgren.pdf> -
   Sintering, Melting, and Crystallization of Lunar Soil With An
   Experimental Petrologic Point of View
 * Donald Sadoway
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Sadoway_1.pdf>
   - Towards Lunar Simulants Possessing Properties Critical to
   Research & Development of Extractive Processes
 * Donald Sadoway
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Sadoway_2.pdf>
   - Extraction Processes in Supercritical Fluids (SCFs)
 * Ernest Berney
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Berney.pdf> -
   The In-Situ State: The Elusive Ingredient in Lunar Simulant
 * David Cole
 <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Cole_Shoop_Corcoran.pdf>
   - Lunar Regolith Simulant Requirements: Mechanical Properties
   Considerations
 * Paul Lowman
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Lowman.pdf> -
   Composition of the Lunar Highland Crust: A New Model
 * Jim Adams
 <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Radiation_Shielding.pdf>
   - Space Radiation and Lunar Regolith
 * Larry Taylor
 <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/TAYLOR-Natural-Simulants.pdf>
   - Geologic Settings for Simulant
 * David Lynch
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Day2/Lynch_1.pdf> -
   Presentation

*Poster Presentations*

 * FARM - Fabrication, Assembly and Repair Module
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Poster_Farm.pdf>
 * In-Situ Resources UtilizationProcessing of Lunar Materials
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Poster_Reddy.pdf> -
   Dr. Ramana Reddy
 * In Situ Fabrication and Repair - Solid Freeform Fabrication
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/poster_ISFR_SFF.pdf>
 * Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology Demo Concept for MSG
   <http://est.msfc.nasa.gov/workshops/LRSM_docs/Poster_ISFR-FAB_MSG.pdf>

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http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/28dec_truefake.htm
True Fakes: Scientists make simulated lunar soil
12.28.2006
*
Dec. 28 , 2006:* Life is tough for a humble grain of dirt on the surface
of the Moon. It's peppered with cosmic rays, exposed to solar flares,
and battered by micrometeorites--shattered, vaporized and re-condensed
countless times over the billions of years. Adding insult to injury,
Earthlings want to strip it down to oxygen and other elements for "in
situ resource utilization," or ISRU, the process of living off the land
when NASA returns to the Moon in the not-so-distant future.

But, as Robert Heinlein famously observed, "the Moon is a harsh
mistress." Living with moondust and striping it down may be trickier
than anyone supposes.

To find out how tricky, researchers would like to test their ideas for
ISRU and their designs for lunar rovers on real lunar soil before
astronauts return to the Moon. But there's a problem: "We don't have
enough real moondust to go around," says Larry Taylor, director of
Planetary Geosciences Institute at the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville. To run all the tests, "we need to make a well-qualified lunar
simulant." And not just a few bags will do. "We need tons of it, mainly
for working on technologies for diggers and wheels and machinery on the
surface," adds David S. McKay, chief scientist for astrobiology at the
Johnson Space Center (JSC).

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WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, IT WILL ACHIEVE - LRK

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