By late 2016, a robotic spacecraft, the size of an average coffee table, will hopefully make a soft landing on the moon, where it will begin mining its lunar surface. The robot in question is part of a contest that will grant its winners a $30 million prize. The objective? To explore the surface of the moon, but also to inspire others to usher in a new age of space exploration. The most difficult task to be performed in this mission is the soft landing. A successful soft landing occurs when a spacecraft is able to land without causing any damage to the vessel or the items contained within it. This feat has only been achieved on three separate occasions despite various attempts. The group that is working on this project, the Moon Express, has unique access to NASA through a public-private partnership, which permits them to utilize NASA’s expertise in engineering, as well as in other fields. This also allows them to use the Kennedy Space Center launch facilities when they are ready to send off their finished robot. Once the robot reaches the moon, it will start mining its surface. Since the map of the moon has already been made, they can direct the robot where they want it to go and use it to mine what could possibly be raw resources in the future, such as rare earth elements, moon rocks, and platinum metals. However, the biggest opportunity for mining on the moon is to obtain Helium-3. This particular element, although found in a vast supply on the moon, only occurs on Earth in very small amounts. Because Helium-3 is a very clean energy source, it could have an enormous influence on the Earth and on its environment. For example, it could be easily used to fuel nuclear fusion reactors and, in theory, produce enough fuel to run our whole planet’s supply of industries. The Chinese have also announced that they would like to mine this element, should they have the opportunity. Water on the moon is also an exciting possibility, which could have an enormous impact on space exploration and for astronauts. The moon could potentially function as a station of sorts, where water could be extracted and used to help “fuel-up” rockets, before astronauts continue on their way. Scientists state that when we consider the moon as a part of our Earth and its ecosystem, it allows us to dream bigger and to see the possibilities that may not have been present before.
-
Archives
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- June 2022
- January 2022
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
-
Meta