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Lunar mining equipmentThis document contains preliminary concepts for mining and beneficiation of lunar regolith from a 50 metric ton/day mine. Assumptions for the design are outlined below. Lunar regolith is the material to be mined. Since it is already a fine-grained material, the two steps of crushing and breakup from a rock surface are eliminated. The size of the operation was set at 50 metric tons of regolith/day for a three-year period. Operations will occur around the clock to make most efficient use of equipment, thus we assume 24 hr/day. For simplicity we have assumed that the lunar regolith has a uniform density of 1.68 and that it can be mined to a depth of 6 m. No research was done on power supply or distribution. It was left to others to consider the various trade-offs between nuclear and solar power and to design the needed utility system.
Document ID
19940004528
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bekkedahl, S.
(North Dakota State University Fargo, United States)
Breidenbach, T.
(North Dakota State University Fargo, United States)
Brown, M.
(North Dakota State University Fargo, United States)
Francis, C.
(North Dakota State University Fargo, United States)
Freeman, J.
(North Dakota State University Fargo, United States)
Scharnott, M.
(North Dakota State University Fargo, United States)
Thon, R.
(North Dakota State University Fargo, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
June 12, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Proceedings of the 5th Annual Summer Conference: NASA/USRA University Advanced Design Program
Publisher: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Volume: NASA-CR-193012
Subject Category
Engineering (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 5th Annual Summer Conference
Location: Huntsville, AL
Country: US
Start Date: June 12, 1989
End Date: June 16, 1989
Sponsors: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Accession Number
94N71283
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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