- #26
- 29
- 29
Keep in mind the economic value of the oxygen separated from silicon or aluminum. O2 is 8/9ths of the weight of H2/LOX rocket propellant, and 4/5ths of the more practical methane/Lox propellant. It could be supplied to low earth orbit (or anywhere else in space) far more cheaply than bringing it up from Terra, particularly if launched from Luna via magnetic accelerator.
Solar panels, aluminum, titanium, iron/steel, and glass may be more of a side effect of the propellant industry, where the cash will come from the first and easiest step, refining.
Even for nuclear rockets, lunar O2 will likely be the cheapest available propellant until we can reach the ices on Ceres.
Solar panels, aluminum, titanium, iron/steel, and glass may be more of a side effect of the propellant industry, where the cash will come from the first and easiest step, refining.
Even for nuclear rockets, lunar O2 will likely be the cheapest available propellant until we can reach the ices on Ceres.