Re: [NNagain] Hurling rocks into Earth's gravity well

[David Lang <david@lang.hm>]

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David Bray wrote:

> The latest missions suggest water is all over the Moon and not that rare -
> https://dailygalaxy.com/2024/09/scientists-confirm-water-all-over-the-moon/

'not that rare' is still along the lines of 12 oz of water per m^3 of rock

yes there is a lot of rock, but it takes a lot of energy to extract the rock, 
heat it to extract the water, cool the water, and dispose of the rock.

David Lang

> Unfortunately we cancelled the VIPER effort
> https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-ends-viper-project-continues-moon-exploration/
> ... and Athena crashed
> https://www.yahoo.com/news/intuitive-machines-athena-space-craft-declared-dead-after-landing-sideways-in-a-crater-on-the-moon-153443232.html
>
> ... so stay tuned.
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 1:03 PM David Lang <david@lang.hm> wrote:
>
>> David Bray wrote:
>>
>>> I'd go for burning hydrogen - not hydrogen fusion - if we can extract
>> water
>>> from the Moon with solar power as the initial kick-starter. We will need
>>> the hydrogen for future rockets launched from the Moon's lower gravity to
>>> Mars and beyond too...
>>
>> I think water is better used for people than for burning. There isn't that
>> much
>> of it out there.
>>
>> There are times you need the high thrust, but if you can use electricity
>> instead, it's better in the long run (and on the moon, with 14 day
>> 'nights' I
>> think nuclear will win
>>
>> burning hycrogen may be needed for landings and maneuvering, but use
>> magnetics
>> for launching.
>>
>> David Lang_______________________________________________
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>>
>