Message-ID: <358@umd5.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 5-Mar-85 09:40:54 EST
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Posted: Tue Mar  5 09:40:54 1985
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[]

Is it not true that if one passes an electric current through molten lunar
rock, one will get O2 in quantity ? I seem to remember reading this one
place or another .. If this is true then the Lunar Explorers will need not
carry a ton of atmosphere along with them to the moon !!


-- 

-Chris Sylvain 

Message-ID: <861@ames.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 9-Mar-85 19:04:55 EST
Article-I.D.: ames.861
Posted: Sat Mar  9 19:04:55 1985
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> Is it not true that if one passes an electric current through molten lunar
> rock, one will get O2 in quantity ? I seem to remember reading this one
> place or another .. If this is true then the Lunar Explorers will need not
> carry a ton of atmosphere along with them to the moon !!
> 
> -Chris Sylvain 

You must have seen Robinson Crusoe on Mars.
I have a lump of anorthosite (sp) which is the material lunar astronauts
practiced with to learn lunar planetary science.  It does not appear to
me that it would release O2 if it were or weren't molten.  You would have
to carry some incredible resources to raise the heat and the electricity.
2 langleys of solar energy is not a very great energy flux to make large
quantites of O2.  Plants located at the lunar poles suffer from angular
geometric effects: you would have to build huge tower collectors
which would have to rotate to follow the sun in a 28 day period.
[This latter point for other postings.]
A break even point ala fusion is a third consideration even if it were
possible to release the O2.

A separate note: on hybrid hypersonic transport engines for cheaper
orbital costs.  I have been reading about major areas of aerodynamic
research.  These complex engines are needed because they are crossing
three flight realms: subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic.  The turbine
system which we have lots of experience can cover the first two realms.
It turns out turbine engines are unable to hold a JP fuel flame much
beyond mach 3.  Enter a ram jet engine: not efficient at the lower
speeds, but with hydrogen as fuel, it might be efficient in this
realm.  Not much experience with elaborate engines like this.  The
complexity might make two or more sets of engines better; then there
are economic considerations for producing such a vehicle.

--eugene miya
  NASA Ames Research Center
  {hplabs,ihnp4,dual,hao,vortex}!ames!aurora!eugene
  emiya@ames-vmsb.ARPA

Article-I.D.: umd5.407
Posted: Mon Mar 11 16:08:52 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Mar-85 09:23:26 EST
References: <358@umd5.UUCP> <861@ames.UUCP>
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>> Is it not true that if one passes an electric current through molten lunar
>> rock, one will get O2 in quantity ?
>> .. If this is true then the Lunar Explorers will need not
>> carry a ton of atmosphere along with them to the moon !!
>> 
> 
> You must have seen Robinson Crusoe on Mars.
> I have a lump of anorthosite (sp) which is the material lunar astronauts
> practiced with to learn lunar planetary science.  It does not appear to
> me that it would release O2 if it were or weren't molten.  You would have
> to carry some incredible resources to raise the heat and the electricity.
> 2 langleys of solar energy is not a very great energy flux to make large
> quantites of O2.
> A break even point ala fusion is a third consideration even if it were
> possible to release the O2.
> 
> --eugene miya
>   NASA Ames Research Center

[]
As a matter of fact, I haven't seen "Robinson Crusoe on Mars". Is it a
classic ?
I read the finding in an otherwise reputable science magazine -- Science News,
Science Digest, or something of that ilk. I can't be too precise on which one
in particular since I think it has been about four years since the article
appeared. No, I DO NOT read the National Enquirer, if that is what you are
thinking!!
When I say O2 in quantity, I do not mean that one suddenly gets weather 
balloon filling amounts -- Presto!
Rather, nothing magic about it at all. The idea is like sticking two
electrodes in water .. Of course the Explorers will need to bring some
atmosphere along with them, but as their needs expand this would be a method
to save the cost of shipping them the raw materials they will need.
Given they can produce electricity 2 weeks out of four(solar cells), and
can focus the sun with a mirror(enough heat to aquire 50mL or so of molten
rock or molten soil, wouldn't you agree?) what prevents the possibility of
obtaining O2 by electrolysis ? What's the chemical composition of the stuff
anyway ?

-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------
When the EPA says, "Get the lead out!", what do they REALLY mean ?
------------------------------------------------------------------

-Chris Sylvain

ARPA:  don@umd5.ARPA
CSNET: don@umd5
UUCP:  {seismo, rlgvax, allegra, brl-bmd, nrl-css}!umcp-cs!cvl!umd5!don

Article-I.D.: ames.872
Posted: Fri Mar 15 12:00:28 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Mar-85 21:34:23 EST
References: <358@umd5.UUCP> <861@ames.UUCP> <407@umd5.UUCP>
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> > You must have seen Robinson Crusoe on Mars.
> > --eugene miya
> As a matter of fact, I haven't seen "Robinson Crusoe on Mars". Is it a
> classic ?
> -Chris Sylvain

yes!  it's almost as good as "destination moon" but some would say the
use of death valley as a location for mars is too hokey.  in the film,
crusoe discovers a yellow rock with releases o2 when burned thus giving
him a source of o2 in the rarified martian atmosphere.

--eugene