Re: Delta Vee Map


Any lunar mining is going to be open pit.

If so, I'd cover it with blast blankets. Lunar dust will be a major problem.

Tunneling would result in a workspace with radiation shielding. Also
a subsurface environment would not have the wild temperature swings of a surface
facility.


There will be no need to
start with gigatons of output. Think open pit mining with shape
charges and diesel equipment scooping stuff up and dumping it into a

Conventional diesel equipment relies on an oxygen rich atmosphere and mined
hydrocarbons, both of which would be in short supply on the moon.

Electric motors seem a better route.

separator feeding a solar furnace. And handful of guys can do all the
work with no teleoperation required.

Commutes from the hab to the workplace would entail frequent opening and closing
of the airlock which would result in loss of air and entry of lunar dust into the living
quarters. Working on the surface would also expose workers to radiation.

Hoop

.