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#276 2026-02-17 10:10:22
- Void
- Member
- Registered: 2011-12-29
- Posts: 9,404
Re: The Moon
This morning, I am thinking about additive and extractive activities on the Moon.
I think that the boring company may do well on most worlds, but perhaps not so much on the Moon as for the relative lack of things like water for it. I will be happy to be wrong about that if eventually method is proven available.
I can think of a number of extractives methods that have recently come into my view;
-Salt Mining with Chlorine and the distillation of the product.
-Laser Sublimation methods.
-I also think that the https://www.quaise.com/ geothermal methods.
I think that some of these could be improved, (Possibly) using chemicals such as Chlorine, in cycles of Oxidation/Chlorination and reduction, (Using Carbon and Hydrogen perhaps).
We will want chemicals on the Moon and at first some of them will be hard to find and process in bulk on the Moon.
While it is a good idea to try to use local resources, I think that also it would be good to figure out how to efficiently and at reasonable cost import ingredients that are easier to provide to the Moon by some effective/efficient methos with utility.
I have previously thought of things like Iron Oxide. But that is not needed for the Moon but is more likely to be taken from the Moon.
In an additive method(s), we may want Urea and Hydrocarbons, to get microbes to make large solids by including regolith and water.
Now I looked at Urea. I would like to crash it into the Moon. The idea of Moon creasing substances of value can be supported by "Space Startup News", as per crashing old space junk on the Moon.
https://www.spacestartupnews.com/
There is a claim from this source, that space junk could be crashed on the Moon using a lower expenditure of delta-v, and the scrap could be of value.
So, I will use that. I will try to produce a practical import method that saves propulsion energy and may provide for needs.
We are familiar with "Airbags". Some people have had trouble grasping the concept of a "Self-Purposed" Airbag in the past.
A "Self-Purposed" "Airbag" would be one that uses its cushioning properties to cushion it's own impact not to protect the impact of another device.
If we have made an Airbag to impact on the Moon at a reasonable speed, we might put Urea grains inside of it. I guess they would be a cargo, and also as likely to bounce around, could "Time Delay" an impact event.
A solid piece of rock can create only a limited, dissipation of impact energy over a limited time interval. Some of it's energy dissipation can dissapated by it's compressive and fracturing nature. If it makes regolith splash, then it provides to energy dissipation time delay by that method.
An Airbag might dissipate energy over an extended time interval, by various methods. But to describe that too much now is to lead attention away from the device I want to propagate in your mind.
I will establish the concept by saying, fill the air bag with Urea foam, and salt that foam with metal Chlorides. Chlorides of metals that are wanted on the Moon but hard to come by.
Quote:
Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was widely used in the 1970s for its energy efficiency benefits, but it has since been associated with health concerns due to formaldehyde emissions.
What is UFFI?
Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) is a low-density foam insulation made from a mixture of urea and formaldehyde resin, compressed air, and a foaming agent. It was primarily used in the 1970s to insulate homes, particularly in Canada, where it was injected into wall cavities to fill gaps and improve energy efficiency. UFFI is characterized by its off-white or yellowish color and hardens quickly after application.
All Clear Environmental
+1
Historical Context
UFFI gained popularity during the energy crisis of the 1970s as a cost-effective solution for improving home insulation. However, concerns arose regarding the release of formaldehyde gas during the curing process, leading to health risks. By 1980, the Canadian government banned the use of UFFI in residential construction due to these concerns, although it continued to be present in many homes built or retrofitted during that time.
Beth and Ryan Waller
+1
Health Concerns
The primary health concern associated with UFFI is the gradual release of formaldehyde, a known irritant and potential carcinogen. While emissions decrease over time, certain conditions, such as high humidity or poor ventilation, can lead to increased levels of formaldehyde in the air. Symptoms of exposure may include respiratory issues, eye irritation, and allergic reactions.
All Clear Environmental
+1
Identifying UFFI in Homes
If you suspect that your home may contain UFFI, look for the following signs:
Injection Holes: Homes insulated with UFFI may have visible injection holes on the exterior walls.
Foam Appearance: UFFI can appear as crumbly, tan, or brown foam behind outlet covers or switch plates.
Unusual Odors: A musty or chemical smell in sealed rooms may indicate the presence of UFFI.
22 Sources
What to Do If UFFI is Present
If you suspect UFFI in your home, it is advisable to avoid DIY inspections or removal. Instead, hire a certified professional to conduct an inspection and air quality testing. They can safely assess the situation and recommend appropriate actions if necessary.
Beth and Ryan Waller
+1
Conclusion
While UFFI was once heralded as an innovative insulation solution, its association with health risks has led to its decline in use. Homeowners should be aware of the potential presence of UFFI in older homes and take appropriate measures to ensure safety and air quality.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urea-formaldehyde
https://activerain.com/blogsview/140744 … on--part-1
Image Quote: 
I believe that this material has much of what is wanted on the Moon, especially if you salted it with metal chlorides.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urea
Image Quote: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde
Image Quote: 
Most of the atoms in the structure are of significant value on the Moon. The Oxygen is not, but it is needed for the structure of the foam, which is useful to the hoped for impact survival of the devices.
The impact results may be affected by the temperature of the impacting device and the temperature of the surface of the Moon where it impacts.
Also, the nature of the surface that it impacts onto.
For instance, it might hit a trampoline of some kind, or a net. Or a hill of fine dust, that has been provided. You might make a surface softened by feeding gas Oxygen into the pile of dust. A method of fluidization. Or you might fire an explosive device embedded in the pile of dust to fluidize it for a short period of time.
The device might be sent from LEO, with limited navigation and braking abilities. Or it might be dropped from the sides of a ship while the ship lands.
You might be able to shoot some kind of a particle beam at the device from the surface of the Moon to slow it down. Perhaps the output of a Mass Driver, or Magdrive(s), or Neumann Drive(s}.
And then finally you might use it as a landing legs substitute for hardware you wanted to land on the Moon.
What about the Chlorine Salts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloride
Quote:
Chlorine salts, commonly known as chloride salts, are chemical compounds that contain the chloride ion (Cl⁻) and are formed through the reaction of chlorine with metals or other elements.
What are Chlorine Salts?
Chlorine salts are ionic compounds that consist of positively charged cations and negatively charged chloride anions. The most well-known example of a chlorine salt is sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt. Chloride salts are typically soluble in water, although some, like silver chloride (AgCl) and lead(II) chloride (PbCl₂), have limited solubility.
Wikipedia
+1
Common Examples of Chlorine Salts
Sodium Chloride (NaCl): The most familiar chloride salt, used extensively in food seasoning and preservation.
Potassium Chloride (KCl): Often used as a salt substitute in food and as a potassium supplement in medicine.
Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂): Used for de-icing roads, as a drying agent, and in food preservation.
Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl): Used in fertilizers, as a food additive, and in some medicinal applications.
Properties and Uses
Solubility: Most chloride salts are soluble in water, making them useful in various applications, including food preservation and chemical processes. However, some chlorides, like silver chloride, are only slightly soluble.
1
Electrolyte Function: Chloride ions play a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance and are essential electrolytes in biological systems.
1
Industrial Applications: Chlorine salts are used in a variety of industries, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing.1 Source
Formation of Chlorine Salts
Chlorine salts are typically formed through the reaction of chlorine with metals or through neutralization reactions involving hydrochloric acid. For example, when sodium reacts with chlorine gas, sodium chloride is produced as follows:
2 Na
+
Cl
2
→
2 NaCl
2 Na+Cl
2→2 NaCl
In summary, chlorine salts are vital compounds in both nature and industry, with sodium chloride being the most recognized example. Their properties and solubility make them essential in various applications, from food preservation to chemical manufacturing.
Wikipedia
+2
The substances received, might be used to 3D print regolith, or break it down, and get various products.
Microbes can use Urea and Water and some other organics to cement regolith.
Hydrocarbons might be used to grow Mycelium products.
Chlorine extracted can be used in salt mining.
Metals from the Chlorides can be used to makes alloys of Lunar metals.
Substances included might facilitate drilling into the Moon using Lasers and/or other power beams. Maybe "Our gyrotron-powered drilling".
If you add Chlorine, you might get a gas to flow out with Iron in it??? As in Salt mining.
If you add Hydrogen or Carbon/CO, you may get an extraction of Oxygen from the dril location a reduction of the rock.
If you then add these in alternation you may better drill the rock.
But of course, your process has to not eat your drilling equipment.
I think that is quite a lot for one morning.
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Last edited by Void (2026-02-17 11:17:50)
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#277 2026-02-28 20:40:19
- Void
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Re: The Moon
https://www.youtube.com/@Anthrofuturism Put out a nice video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DUydTgyGQ0
Quote
The Lunar Mass Driver Orbital Supply Chain
ANTHROFUTURISM
Two of three possible purposes for this sort of thing are mentioned.
1) Orbital power beamed to Earth.
2) The Lunar Mass Driver Orbital Supply Chain (What this video is about)
A 3) Option which is data centers in space are not worked on.
But it is a very good video, and I learned a bit more about what is possible/practical and why.
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Last edited by Void (2026-02-28 20:45:07)
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#278 2026-03-13 09:03:01
- Void
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Re: The Moon
A video about power on the Moon: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/r … &FORM=VIRE Quote:
Lunar Power Grid: Cables, Lasers or Orbit?
YouTube
Space Startup News
6 views
3 hours ago
Nice to see that there are plans in the works.
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#279 2026-04-09 09:16:59
- Void
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Re: The Moon
A thing I have been thinking about is a vertical melt cave for the Moon or other worlds.
Tunneling on the Moon may not be very easy. Boring machines need water and involve troublesome chemistry.
As always, it will be easier to say this than to do it. But the rewards from learning how to do it would be large: 
Cones without air pressurization with a induced lava floor will not suffer from convection as a method to bleed the induced heat away.
If a floating "Island" of refractory materials could be structured to float on the induced lava melt, then heat losses from radiation may be mini8mized, and then only the rock could bleed heat off from the induced lava melt.
Methods of heating might be microwave, or perhaps electric currents. Maybe some kind of a solar concentrator??? But then that conflicts with the floating island.
Finding methods for extracting the induced lava, and producing value assed products from it will require a lot of discovery.
Obviously, robots would be of a great help along with serious automation methods.
It could be observed that such caves heated during the Lunar Day would be useful in the Lunar night.
It can be supposed that if you do multiple cones, and keep going down, eventually they may connect with each other.
So, a potential for vast underground systems of connected chambers on the Moon and maybe Mars.
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Last edited by Void (2026-04-09 09:40:36)
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#280 2026-04-09 16:03:45
- Void
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Re: The Moon
Referring to the just prior post, I think that what I was reaching for is a "Melt-Method-of Drilling".
I now think that a "Lava Lake" with floating island could be replaced with more practical methods.
Perhaps a pond that could be moved around as the materials were extracted and converted into material good by a method similar to "Blue Alchemist".
https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-al … nar-future
A video:
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/r … &FORM=VIRE
Where they intend to work with the broken regolith, I would like to see a "Melt-Method-of Drilling", even into the bedrock of rocky worlds.
Various methods, of materials separation could be included, and I think that the reminder could be "Cast" into simulated stones to build structures on the surface of those worlds.
Mercury
Venus (Too Hot?)
Earth
Luna
Mars
Vesta
16 Psyche
Io (Too Radioactive?)
Where I have suggested a cone method, vertical and diagonal bedrock drilling extraction methods also might work.
So, then the process would be extractive to additive.
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On most of these worlds, a coolant such as CO2 might be used, to allow sensitive machines to work near the "Melt Pond".
Unfortunately for our Moon it may well be necessary to import the Carbon for that.
Mercury and Venus and Mars and Vesta are known to have Carbon, likely in large amounts.
So, eventually a world like Mercury might has tunnels and vaults that would go many Kilometers down. Perhaps some day it might be possible to drill all the way into the core of Vesta, or 16 Psyche.
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Last edited by Void (2026-04-09 16:30:34)
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#281 2026-04-10 09:42:14
- Void
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Re: The Moon
The process of carving cone or cylinder vertical or diagonal shafts into the Lunar bedrock may release Oxygen.
Query: "Including results for Heating some Lunar Regolith will release some oxygen?.
Do you want results only for Heating some Lunar Regoli9th will release some oxygen??
"
My "Puter" companion says, (quote):
Yes
Yes, heating lunar regolith to high temperatures can indeed release oxygen. This process is known as molten regolith electrolysis or vacuum pyrolysis. These methods involve heating the regolith to temperatures that dissociate its minerals into reduced oxides and gaseous oxygen. The released oxygen can then be isolated and stored for use in various applications, including life support systems and rocket propulsion.
NASA
+5
Here is some more support on that: https://hal.science/hal-05061241/file/R … ca2025.pdf
Quote:
Review of in-situ oxygen extraction from lunar regolith with
focus on solar thermal and laser vacuum pyrolysis
Jack Robinot, Sylvain Rodat, Stéphane Abanades, Alexis Paillet, Aidan Cowley
Tocitethis version:
Jack Robinot, Sylvain Rodat, Stéphane Abanades, Alexis Paillet, Aidan Cowley. Review of in-situ oxygen
extraction from lunar regolith with focus on solar thermal and laser vacuum pyrolysis. Acta Astronautica,
2025, 234, pp.242-259. ⟨10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.05.008⟩. ⟨hal-05061241
So, perhaps a artificial lava pool/lake might work or perhaps some work on geothermal might work.
Query: "drilling geothermal wells with microwaves"
Quote:
Gyrotron Technology Goes Deep For Geothermal Energy
Quaise Energy is at the forefront of developing gyrotron technology for deep geothermal drilling. Gyrotrons are powerful vacuum electronic devices that generate high-frequency electromagnetic waves in the microwave to terahertz range. They operate on the principle of electron cyclotron resonance in a strong magnetic field. Quaise Energy is developing technology to mine precious metals, create deep underground locations to store nuclear waste, and access geothermal resources within the Earth's crust. The company aims to harness the residual heat from the planet's formation and the decay of radioactive elements in the Earth's mantle and core to produce geothermal energy. This energy is regarded as a renewable source because the heat is constantly replenished within the Earth, following the geothermal gradient, which averages about 3°C per 100 meters. Quaise Energy's technology holds the potential to build geothermal wells at unprecedented depths and temperatures, providing clean electric generation and heat distribution plants within a short distance of major population and industrial centers on the planet.
The product for this would be a fine dust, I believe. However, the process would likely release volatiles into a vacuum as well. Oxygen, Chlorine, Hydrogen compounds and such.
So, then of course you might build an Oxygen atmosphere inside of the vault. It might be that if you placed Methane gas into that chamber then the process would capture the released Oxygen into CO2 and H20. Chlorine might bond to Iron as a somewhat high temperature vapor and then might condense upon cooling.
Dust produced by the process may be to some extent reduced, which might be favorable for separating some materials such as magnetic iron, using magnetism.
If instead the use of a more "Hard" vacuum would be used, in the vaults then produced Oxygen might be compressed into another vault which had been previously created.
A vaults rocks being composed of 40% to 45% Oxygen, I would presume the results will be a reduction of the total amounts of solids, but not necessarily a proportional result. Some solids could be removed to the Lunar surface. Alternately Lunar regolith on the surface might on occasion be dumped into these vaults on a periodic basis to do processing on the materials.
The process will of course require electrical power and will also produce heat.
I have suggested liquid CO2 as a coolant that could be piped down from the surface to then vaporize and carry heat away to a condensing process, perhaps also on the surface.
A ladder/ramp may be attached at the apex of the vault above, and might rotate about the chamber to give access to needed situations to address. Something like a librarian's ladder???
I guess it would be called a "Rolling Ladder": https://putnamrollingladder.com/
Image Quote: 
But the pitch of it would be inverted and probably a "Lift" would be included into it.
Perhaps this will help visualization of it: 
Three vertical sections are shown as a single vault. The rolling ladders are to the right on the top and bottom ones, and the middle rolling ladder has been rotated to the left in the depiction.
So, all surfaces of the vault can be accessed to patch cracks and to attach mechanisms into the surfaces.
I do wonder how deep the human race may be able to dig with this method into alien worlds such as our Moon.
100 km???
For Mars, of course not as deep and we also would have to be concerned about thawing permafrost in some situations.
For Vesta and 16 Psyche, I hope we could dig all the way into the center to get all the goodies.
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Last edited by Void (2026-04-10 10:23:39)
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#282 2026-04-11 10:41:21
- Void
- Member
- Registered: 2011-12-29
- Posts: 9,404
Re: The Moon
The Moon-Path that I have recently posted for suggests that the Moon can become something very important and not a ball of rock to ignore.
It may be possible that deeply buried rock on the Moon may some Carbon and Hydrogen, Chlorine and other minority substances, however if we are going to emerge into a Kardashev II solar system, I feel that importing more from other places in the solar system will not be out of reach.
Most other worlds in the solar system have substances that might be worth importing to the Moon.
In carving massive amounts of vaults into the Lunar Bedrock, much excess Oxygen will be produced. Much of that can be compressed into the vaults. But some would leak to make a thin atmosphere, I suspect.
If that became true, it would likely not be desired to let it go so far as to interfere with Mass Driver activities. (Presuming that Mass Drivers will be in use).
So, for Mars, it is said that 5.5 millibar may allow Mass Drivers, so I suspect that 11 millibars on the Moon would be a problem.
But it can be noted that a 1 millibar atmosphere might allow objects to aerobrake into the Moon, as the gravity is about 1/2 that of Mars and the very thin atmosphere might stack higher.
Cellulose and other organic structure might significantly comprise the body of such objects to aerobrake. Keep in mind that we are not going to try to land these things. If they burn up in an O2 Lunar atmosphere the results will largely be more Oxygen and also CO2 and H20.
The Moon has cold traps that could capture the CO2 and H20 from the atmosphere on a continuing basis.
So, giant cellulose mirrors constructed at another world would be receivable to the Moon by such a method as a delivered resource.
Obvious donor worlds could be Mars, The Asteroid Belt, and Callisto.
OK, here is a crude drawing: 
The object largely made of organic structure like cellulose and plastics, may have a thin aluminum surface for the mirror. If the object can be projected by some means like a chemical explosion or perhaps particle beams, it might start in that manner. Then as it drew near to the sun improved on-board power might allow it to use some electric propulsion method to intersect our Moon.
As I have said the intention is not to land it, so it can come in hot and fast to burn-up and break-up in a thin Lunar atmosphere.
If we presume robotic labor, these can be created in large quantities in regions of the solar system having the desired substances.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose
Quote:
Chemical formula (C6H10O5)n
Plastics might also provide useful structure, perhaps including other substances as well.
Query: "Plastics that contain Nitrogen"
Quote:
Plastics that contain nitrogen include:
Polyurethanes: These are versatile plastics used in various applications, including automotive parts and textiles.
Polyamides: Often referred to as nylon, these plastics are known for their strength and flexibility.
Nylon: Specifically, nylon is a nitrogen-containing polymer that is commonly used in various products due to its durability and resistance to wear.
Melamine resins: These are also nitrogen-containing plastics used in manufacturing and have applications in electrical and electronic components.
Nitrogen plays a crucial role in the manufacturing of these plastics by displacing oxygen, which helps prevent oxidation and maintains the integrity of the material during processing.
3
Example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyurethane
Image Quote: 
For a time the Moon could maintain both Mass Drivers in a very thin atmosphere and the reception of these objects. But eventually perhaps the asteroids will provide the rocky materials, and the Moon could be significantly more terraformed. But that will be a long time off, I expect.
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Last edited by Void (2026-04-11 11:27:32)
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#283 2026-04-12 07:39:50
- Void
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Re: The Moon
A device that I have hoping for is one that uses heat and some types of reactive gasses to modify a solid object.
A cutting torch does so but is not suitable for highly Oxidized Lunar regolith or bedrock. It can "Cut" metal with heat and Oxygen.
So, although I am still interested in the "Lava Pond" concept, it may be possible to use a heat source and a "Fuel" type to eat into highly Oxidized Lunar bedrock. (That is the hope).
Hydrogen might serve as the fuel or possibly Methane.
The source of the heat might be Microwave, Laser, or some sort of Gyrotron.
Query: "drilling geothermal wells with microwaves"
Quote:
Microwave drilling uses high-powered electromagnetic waves to melt and vaporize rock, enabling access to superhot geothermal energy at unprecedented depths.
How Microwave Drilling Works
Microwave drilling, also called millimeter wave drilling, employs high-frequency microwaves generated by a device called a gyrotron. These microwaves are transmitted down a borehole to the rock face, where they spall, melt, and vaporize the rock, creating a hole without the need for conventional mechanical drill bits or complex downhole equipment (Quaise Energy). The only downhole component is a guiding tube that directs the microwave beam to the target rock (Quaise Energy). This method is particularly suited for ultradeep wells in extremely hard basement rocks like granite and basalt, which are difficult to penetrate with traditional rotary drilling (JPT).
Society of Petroleum Engineers
+2
Advantages Over Conventional Drilling
Extreme Depths and Temperatures: Microwave drilling can reach depths of 10–20 km and temperatures up to 500°C, far beyond the limits of conventional geothermal drilling (Quaise Energy).
1
Faster Drilling Speeds: Field tests have demonstrated drilling speeds 10 times faster than prior lab demonstrations, significantly reducing project timelines (Quaise Energy).
1
Reduced Equipment Wear: Since the rock is melted rather than mechanically ground, there is minimal wear on drill bits and seals, which are typically destroyed at superhot conditions (JPT).
1
Access to Superhot Geothermal Energy: This technology enables the production of supercritical steam, which has a much higher energy density than conventional geothermal steam, making electricity generation more efficient (Quaise Energy).
13 Sources
Current Development and Field Testing
Quaise Energy, an MIT spinout, is leading the development of this technology. They have conducted field tests in a granite quarry near Austin, Texas, achieving a 100-meter milestone in millimeter wave drilling, demonstrating the feasibility of scaling the technology to commercial depths (Quaise Energy). The company plans to retrofit existing coal power plants into geothermal plants by drilling ultradeep wells beneath them, potentially providing carbon-free electricity at a global scale (MIT Energy).
quaise.com
+1
Technical Components
Gyrotron: A vacuum electronic device that generates high-power microwaves in the millimeter-wave range, previously used in nuclear fusion experiments (EEP).
1
Downhole Waveguide: A long tube that directs the microwave energy to the rock face, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components in extreme conditions (Quaise Energy).
1
Field Rig: Compact rigs are deployed to test and eventually scale the technology for commercial geothermal wells (Quaise Energy).
13 Sources
Potential Impact
Microwave drilling could unlock the world’s largest source of stored energy by making superhot geothermal energy accessible almost anywhere,
Quaise Energy: https://www.quaise.com/
Quote:
Unlocking the true power of clean geothermal energy.
Quote:
Our gyrotron-powered drilling platform vaporizes boreholes through rock and provides access to deep geothermal heat without complex downhole equipment.
Based on breakthrough fusion research and well-established drilling practices, we are developing a radical new approach to ultra-deep drilling. First, we use conventional rotary drilling to get to basement rock. Then, we switch to high-power millimeter waves to reach unprecedented depths.
I would like to modify the process to become a carving tool rather than a drilling tool.
In the Quaise drilling process drilling creates dust which then is forced up the bore-hole with a injected gas. (That is what I understand).
If the gas we used to blow the dust from the carving site were Hydrogen, I think it is likely that it would reduce the dust of Oxygen and create water vapor. To maintain a greater partial vacuum in the carving chamber, then I suppose that the water vapor will be collected and split into Hydrogen and Oxygen. The reduced dust could be collected an processed further. The result would then be a useful cavity in the bedrock of a world like the Moon.
Methane might be used instead of Hydrogen, but I anticipate that the Carbon may tend to bond with some part of the resulting dust. Then you would need a process to recover the Carbon.
In the dust should be some Iron. Various methods may be possible to recover that Iron. Beyond that then the remnant might be processed to get things like Aluminum and Silicon out of it.
The remainder might be re-Oxidized and converted into some sort of solid object like a brick.
Of course, I do not know for sure that my above speculations will work at all or by some modifications. Testing would tell, I expect.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It is a hope that some rocks submerged further down in the bedrock may hold more useful things like Carbon, Hydrogen, and Chlorine.
Soviet Drilling on the Moon suggested that it could be so.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech … overy.html
Quote:
In the rocks that it brought back, water made up around 0.1%.
I am not interested in the politics of the issue, just the water.
I think we might want to be interested in extinct volcanoes on the Moon: https://earthsky.org/space/fire-fountai … ry-solved/
Quote:
When the first astronauts went to the moon in the late 1960s and early ’70s, they found glass beads on the lunar surface that could only have been made in active volcanos. The beads are a sign that fire fountain eruptions took place on the moon, similar to the eruptions that occur frequently in Hawaii, for example. From that time, although we’ve known that the moon was once volcanically active, scientists have pondered the question of what volatile substances could have driven the lunar fire fountains. Scientists from Brown University and the Carnegie Institution for Science announced this week (August 24, 2015) that they’ve identified the volatile gas that drove those eruptions. They say carbon monoxide (CO) gas was responsible.
Quote:
For many years, the moon was thought to be devoid of volatiles like hydrogen and carbon. It wasn’t until the last decade or so that volatiles were definitively detected in lunar samples. In 2008, Saal and colleagues detected water in lunar volcanic beads. They followed that discovery with detections of sulfur, chlorine and fluorine. While it became apparent that the moon was not completely depleted of volatiles as was once thought, none of the volatiles that had been detected were consistent with fire fountain eruptions. For example, if water had been the driving force, there should be mineralogical signatures in recovered samples. There are none.
Although the quantities will likely be very low, they will still be valuable. And at the same time Iron, Aluminum, and Silicon might be recovered from the rocks in much larger amounts.
I suppose that fire fountains may either have had so much heat that the vented the vast majority of these volatiles before cooling down, or the volatiles kept coming up form the deeps until the rocks solidified, then perhaps trapping some of the volatiles at a depth but perhaps not out of reach.
So, from post #281, a carving-drilling method into a ancient Fire-Fountain might yield value:
Perhaps this will help visualization of it:
Both in the form of recovered materials and the vaults which in some cases could be rendered "Habitable" eventually.
Also from post #282 we also have the option to import volatiles to a world like our Moon: OK, here is a crude drawing:
Previously I have suggested that such devices could be crafted from the materials of Mars, Asteroid Belts, or Callisto.
I want to include that at some point in the future it might be possible to get such from Dwarf Planets such as Pluto and Eris.
This may particularly be true if it becomes possible to beam power to those locations from our sun's inner locations, or if fusion becomes practical as a power source.
So, the device largely made of organic substances and some metals, is intended to impact a very thin atmosphere created for the Moon. A good location for impact might be near the poles of the Moon. Presuming the craft burns and breaks up, on atmospheric entry, the desire is that the burned volatiles such as compounds of Hydrogen, Carbon, and Nitrogen will condense in the shadowed craters and any surviving wreckage may also crash into those craters.
So, the solar system does contain plenty of materials to turn the Moon into a garden. But that would take much effort and time and may or may not be a desire.
Ending Pending
Last edited by Void (2026-04-12 08:45:49)
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#284 Yesterday 09:59:16
- Void
- Member
- Registered: 2011-12-29
- Posts: 9,404
Re: The Moon
I have often thought that the Asteroid Belt could be used to make our Moon more valuable. This would not bypass Deimos/Phobos/Mars, as these are between the two locations, Ceres<>Luna.
If as is expected the Starship technology matures into a high level of utility, then all of these worlds should become accessable.
From post #283:
Also from post #282 we also have the option to import volatiles to a world like our Moon: OK, here is a crude drawing:
Other asteroid materials may do, but for now I will suggest Ceres as it is thought that it will have Nitrogen to export along with Carbon, and Hydrogen.
In this scheme "Ceres" would be important as a place for humans and robots, not just our Moon. The substances of Ceres could be made into Biological Structure Materials and also Plastics. But metals and Silicon would be available.
The objective would be to make a device out of these materials and to transfer it to CIS-Lunar-Space, Mars Orbits, and possibly to inner solar system asteroids. It may also be possible to crash them into the Moon, if it could be done in a way that would deliver valuable materials.
I have suggested this elsewhere, but will review it again.
Ceres is still close enough to the sun that mirrors could provide lots of solar energy.
To transfer these devices to a more inner solar orbit than the orbit of "Ceres", a Mass driver might be considered, but that requires electric power to provide a large amount of inertia over a very short period of time.
A modification of T.A.R.S might be more suitable, as it can accumulate and store flywheel type energy over a long period of time.
Query: "T.A.R.S. space launch method"
Quote:
The T.A.R.S. (Torqued Accelerator using Radiation from the Sun) is a revolutionary space propulsion concept developed by David Kipping. It utilizes solar radiation to generate rotational energy, which is then converted into kinetic energy to accelerate small spacecraft to speeds greater than the escape velocity from the solar system.
TARS consists of two reflective paddles connected by a tether, with each paddle having a reflective side and a dark side.
The paddles spin due to solar radiation, accumulating energy over time.
Once sufficiently powered, a small spacecraft is released at high velocity, potentially reaching speeds of up to 7.5 miles per second.
This method does not require fusion reactors or gigawatt lasers, making it a simpler and more accessible approach to interstellar travel.
3The concept has been detailed in a study published on arXiv, showcasing its potential for launching microprobes into interstellar space.
1
The modifications desired would be;
1) Not for interstellar.
2) Accelerated by Electric Rocket Propulsion, not sunlight.
So then perhaps "Torqued Accelerator using Electric Propulsion."
It activities at Ceres occur, then it would be desirable to seek methods for Space Elevators there. If you have tethers for that you might then have tethers for "Torqued Accelerator using Electric Propulsion."
This spin and fling method is already understood: 
Electric Rockets would spin it up and at an appointed moment the tether would be cut. The "Outie" would be flung to a higher orbit in the sun's gravity well and the "Innie" would be flung to a lower orbit in the sun's gravity well.
So, far the "outie" is just a counterweight that we simply fling away and might not have any further use for.
But what if the "outie" was an explosive charge packed with water ice?
So, lets change the "outie" into a cannon, and modify the 'inie" to have "Pusher Plate" characteristics like for a nuclear Orion.
Of course, then the "innie" has to be rugged to survive the blast, and you lose the "Cannon" of the "outie" to the more outer solar system.
But the two methods flywheel and chemical allow the storage of large amounts of energy over a time period and the sudden release of much energy over a short time period.
A Mass Driver is the different. You have to apply energy (Electric) over a short time period and so inertia transfer to the projectile is made difficult.
What is left of the "outie" is probably abandoned and derelict.
The "Innie" then sent to a more inner sun orbit, might get to better sunlight and the "innie" then might use on-board propulsion such as electric rocket propulsion to get into some gravity assist situations such as with inner planets such as Mars and others.
At some point the hope would be to use methods akin to "Ballistic Capture" to bring the device into orbit of Mars or Earth/Moon or maybe Venus.
Well.....That was fun!
Ending Pending
Last edited by Void (Yesterday 11:25:06)
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