Extraterrestrial resource utilization for economy in space missionsThe NASA/University of Arizona Space Engineering Research Center is dedicated to research on the discovery, characterization, mapping, beneficiation, extraction, processing, and fabrication of useful products from extraterrestrial material. Schemes for the automated production of low-technology products that are likely to be desired in large quantities in the early stages of any large-scale space activity are identified and developed. This paper summarizes the research program, concentrating upon the production of (1) propellants, both cryogenic and storable, (2) volatiles such as water, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide for use in life-support systems (3) structural metals, and (4) refractories for use in aerobrakes and furnace linings.
Document ID
19910029468
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lewis, J. S. (NASA Center for the Utilization of Local Planetary Resources, Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Ramohalli, K. (NASA Center for the Utilization of Local Planetary Resources, Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Triffet, T. (NASA Space Engineering Center for Utilization of Local Planetary Resources Tucson, AZ, United States)