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Processing of Lunar Soil Simulant for Space Exploration ApplicationsNASA's long-term vision for space exploration includes developing human habitats and conducting scientific investigations on planetary bodies, especially on Moon and Mars. Processing and utilization of planetary in-situ resources is recognized as an important element of this vision since it can minimize the level of up-mass that will have to be transported from earth to the planetary bodies. Within this scope and context, we have undertaken a general effort aimed primarily at extracting and refining metals, developing glass, glass-ceramic, or traditional ceramic type materials using lunar soil simulants. In this paper we will present preliminary results on our effort on simultaneous carbothermal reduction of oxides for elemental extraction and zone refining for obtaining high purity metals. In additions we will demonstrate the possibility of developing glass fibers as reinforcement agents for planetary habitat construction, glasses for fixing nuclear waste from potential nuclear power generators, and glasses for magnetic applications. The paper will also include initial thermal characterization of the glasses produced from lunar simulant. Compositional analysis of processed samples will be presented.
Document ID
20050207501
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sen, Subhayu
(BAE Systems Huntsville, AL, United States)
Ray, C. S.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Ramachandran, N.
(BAE Systems Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Advances in Solidification
Location: Stockholm
Country: Sweden
Start Date: June 7, 2005
End Date: June 10, 2005
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-02096
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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