Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ames.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!hao!ames!eugene
From: eugene@ames.UUCP (Eugene Miya)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Lunar rock chemistry
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
Date-Received: Tue, 12-Mar-85 08:13:08 EST
References: <358@umd5.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 36

> 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