Non-terrestrial resources of economic importance to earthThe status of research on the importation of energy and nonterrestrial materials is reviewed, and certain specific directions for new research are proposed. New technologies which are to be developed include aerobraking, in situ propellant production, mining and beneficiation of extraterresrrial minerals, nuclear power systems, electromagnetic launch, and solar thermal propulsion. Topics discussed include the system architecture for solar power satellite constellations, the return of nonterrestrial He-3 to earth for use as a clean fusion fuel, and the return to earth of platinum-group metal byproducts from processing of nonterrestrial native ferrous metals.
Document ID
19920037979
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lewis, John S. (NASA Space Engineering Research Center for Utilization of Local Planetary Resources; Arizona, University Tucson, United States)