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Processes and energy costs for mining lunar Helium-3Preliminary investigations show that obtaining He-3 from the moon is technically feasible and economically viable. With the exception of beneficiation, the proposed procedures are state of the art. Mass of equipment needed from earth is of some concern, but resupply will eventually be ameliorated by the use of titanium from indigenous ilmenite. A complete energy payback from a D/He-3 fusion reactor utilizing lunar He-3 is approx. 80, providing ample incentive for commercial investment is forthcoming. Byproducts will be of great value to the resupply of a permanent lunar base and enhancement of space exploration.
Document ID
19890005477
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sviatoslavsky, I. N.
(Wisconsin Univ. Madison, WI, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Lewis Research Center, Lunar Helium-3 and Fusion Power
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
89N14848
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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