Demandite, lunar materials and space industrializationTerrestrial industry consumes a wide range of elements in producing the outputs which support and make industrial societies possible. 'Demandite' is a conceptual or synthetic molecule which is composed of the weight fractions of the major elements consumed by industry. Demandite needed for mature industrial activities in space will differ from the terrestrial composition because solar energy must replace hydrocarbon-energy, lunar and asteroidal bulk compositions are different from mineral deposits on the earth, and the major bulk processing in space will be the creation of radiation shielding for human habitats to provide real estate in space complete with water, atmosphere and life-stock elements. Demandite cost may be dominated by earth to deep space transport cost of minor elemental constituents depleted in the lunar soils unless careful attention is given to substitution of materials, searches of the moon (polar regions) and asteroids for the depleted elements, and continuing lowering of earth to deep space transport costs.
Document ID
19780044024
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Criswell, D. R. (Lunar Science Institute Houston, Tex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1977
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: Conference on Space manufacturing facilities II - Space colonies