Re: A Moon base is too far; an asteroid ship better alternative:)

From: Cameron Dorrough (cdorrough_at_nortonconsultants.com)
Date: 03/18/05 

Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005 14:34:35 +1100

"Paul F. Dietz" <dietz@dls.net> wrote in message
news:pZqdnULXMd7JvqffRVn-3w@dls.net...
> Mike Combs wrote:
>
> > A power grid spanning the entire globe of the moon would be a pretty
> > formidable industrial accomplishment. I can't see it happening in any
> > near-term future.
>
> I suspect a power grid on the moon is considerably more difficult than
> one on earth, even ignoring the difference in labor cost. A high voltage
> conductor in dense air is insulated by that air, but in vacuum you'll be
> constantly generating high energy ions and electrons in the surrounding
plasma,
> and possibly causing runaway discharge due to their collision with
surfaces
> and secondary ion production.

That's assuming that you'd run the cables suspended above the surface
somehow...

If you were serious, you'd probably direct bury them - AIUI, moon dust is a
great insulator.

Cameron:-)