Use of outer planet satellites and asteroids as sources of raw materials for life support systems
Industrialization of space and other space activities depend entirely on supply of materials from the Earth. This is a high cost route for materials supply. Space industrialization will require life support systems for maintenance and operation staff and these will of necessity be of a sophisticated nature. Use of raw materials obtained by an unmanned space shuttle, initially, and by manned shuttles later could significantly reduce the cost of life support in space. These raw materials could be obtained from small asteroids and satellites, and would consist of primary nutrients. Future development of such sources is discussed, including food production in automated asteroid-based facilities. The level of technology required is available now, and should become economical within a century.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-06-1830
- OSTI ID:
- 6617430
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-6570; CONF-7710155-1; TRN: 78-019143
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Space industrialization conference, San Francisco, CA, USA, 17 Oct 1977; Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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