Re: Space Leaders Work To Replace Lunar Base With Manned Asteroid Missions

On Jan 25, 7:33 am, Al <aa...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I only hope the International part of the proposal is embraced , the
USA can probably afford the CEV , but not the cost of interplanetary
exploration.... at least any more, can't go back in time now!

Asteroid exploration (particularly metals & precious
metals) should, at first, hinge on cheaper earth-to-orbit
technology, or at least some good faith prospect for
getting some return on investment. That is the main
thrust WHY the prospect of asteroid mining seems so
attractive - it offers us some real monetary payback -
just like the California gold rush of 1848 - 1855, but
THIS TIME, it's a bit more like an exact science:

http://home.comcast.net/~samuel_ransom/Modeling_a_Regolith_Handling_System.htm

In addition to the link above, a design and component list-
ing has already been completed for a regolith cannister
handling system, which will accept 2' diameter cannisters
for autostorage and retrieval. The regolith refining opera-
tion can be performed either on-site or shipped to a remote
location by freighter.

The proposed operation has the capability of processing
nearly 20 tons of 'accepted regolith' per day, refining
either platinum, gold, or silver by % total volume of
cannister, dependent upon the sensitivity of the gamma
detector and concentration of metal in the compounds.

American
.

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