Energy/Resources

The Moon and space hold great promises to assuring mankind of inexhaustible, clean energy supplies: solar and nuclear.

Solar Power Satellites (SPS): Capturing “the Rays of the Sun” is an age-old concept. It was Peter Glaser in 1968 who first proposed large Solar Power Satellites (SPS) in geosyncronous Earth orbit extending over dozens of miles. These concepts were refined over the decades, with advances in solar energy conversion technologies, “wireless” energy transmission concepts and, most importantly, the realization as early as the late 1970’s (the NRC-ASEB Minority SPS Statement) that SPS concepts might indeed be viable with the use of Lunar materials – a prerequisite. (click image to read more)

Lunar Solar Power (LSP): As an intermediate step thereto, others – most notably David R. Criswell – have developed concepts and designs that will use the abundant solar energy resources on and from the Moon – 1.3KWe per m2. (click solar panel image to enlarge)

Clean Fusion Energy: The Moon also has vast resources of Helium-3 – potential fuel for clean fusion energy. Mining these resources on the Moon will represent a formidable challenge to the ingenuity and engineering skills of all those who will join in opening this frontier. Once proven, these resources promise unlimited, clean energy supplies throughout the world.

“In-situ” Resources Utilization (ISRU): More mundane, but critically important for the next decades, will be the demonstration of a range of technologies to prospect, mine and process Lunar resources for use on the Moon and for use to supply raw materials, fuel and water for uses beyond: in Cis-lunar Space, at various libration points (L1, L2, … L5) and Trans-lunar Space. (click lunar mining image to enlarge)