Scaling And Sizing Aspects For Resource Utilization Devices To Support Development Of The Moon And Mars Exploration
- Paper number
IAC-07-A3.6.B.06
- Author
Ms. Bijal Thakore, International Space University (ISU), France
- Year
2007
- Abstract
With the new wave of exploration targeted at extending lunar missions to support humans and preparing towards a permanently occupied human outpost, the role of in-situ resources utilization (ISRU) is becoming apparent. Several studies have indicated that use of ISRU devices may provide significant cost effectiveness over a given time of operation. With the lack of demonstration mission, one link still remains to be investigated further: what is the best means for such devices to be scaled up to cater with an increased demand of products. This paper mainly focuses on use of space resources to harness oxygen, hydrogen and water on the Moon, as the processes, technologies and economics for these near-term 'derived products' are better understood. Strategies for extending a new-sufficient supply of space resource derived products to those that can be commercially mined is not the main focus, but are included for comparison of increased energy, mobility and operating robustness required. Finally, a role of such a strategy in preparing a demonstration mission for Moon and that for a ISRU device for large scale water production on Mars is discussed.
- Abstract document