Directing Space Junk to the Moon: Feasibility & Benefits

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of directing space junk to the Moon for future use by astronauts. Participants highlight the significant energy requirements for transporting debris 380,000 km and question the practicality of reusing materials on the Moon versus sending them to the Sun for incineration. Concerns are raised about the logistical challenges of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, including the need for oxygen, water, and protection from environmental hazards. The conversation also touches on the legal implications of territorial claims on the Moon and the potential for Mars as a more viable option for human habitation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of orbital mechanics and energy requirements for space travel
  • Familiarity with lunar and Martian environmental conditions
  • Knowledge of international space treaties regarding extraterrestrial territories
  • Basic concepts of sustainable living in space environments
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the energy costs of transporting materials in space using tools like NASA's Space Launch System (SLS)
  • Explore the feasibility of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on the Moon and Mars
  • Study the implications of the Outer Space Treaty on lunar colonization
  • Investigate technologies for creating water and oxygen from lunar or Martian resources
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, space policy analysts, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the future of human habitation on the Moon and Mars.

salb4
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I have a question:
What would be the feasability of directing our old space junk towards the moon?
Have it all deposited in a certain area.(junkyard) future astronauts living there could build and repair there.
Spacestation and hubble, put rockets on it and guide to soft landing?
Would this not be cheaper than launching completely from earth.
Spacestation too large. disassemble and land it in smaller sections, reassemble it there?

Just a question: Thoughts anybody?
 
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salb4 said:
I have a question:
What would be the feasability of directing our old space junk towards the moon?

Which space junk are you referring to? And a better question (since you clearly don't care about the amount of energy it will require to deliver that junk 380,000+ km away) - why not send it to the Sun so it burns up clean?

Have it all deposited in a certain area.(junkyard) future astronauts living there could build and repair there.
What is the logic of sending junk to be reused later? In addition, you now need more energy just to slow down this junk so it doesn't crash into the Moon but rather lands gently

Spacestation and hubble, put rockets on it and guide to soft landing?
Would this not be cheaper than launching completely from earth.

Would take same amount of energy (if not more) to launch from Earth to Moon, slow down, land and then launch personnel there to assemble there. Then you have to build a moon station in 1/6 the gravity of Earth, find oxygen source (sure Moon is 42% oxygen but how are you going to harness that?), plus water, food, and shield them from micrometeorites and radiation, not to mention insane temperature fluctuations.

Spacestation too large. disassemble and land it in smaller sections, reassemble it there?
Why? It will take more energy and reverse a progress that was already done. Not to mention money that we don't have. Not to mention we have several treaties about other planets and the moon - we can't build any military installations on the Moon, and we can't "claim" any territory of the Moon for our own


Just a question: Thoughts anybody?

I think its dangerous to be on a planet or moon that does not have an atmosphere. For that reason the Moon is just not sustainable for humans. Planet Mars could be a great remote outpost

Mars atmosphere:
95.32% carbon dioxide
2.7% nitrogen
1.6% argon
0.13% oxygen
0.07% carbon monoxide
0.03% water vapor
trace amounts of neon, krypton, xenon, ozone, methane


I don't know but that looks almost perfect for plants, with only exception that you also need water. If you can find water or master process of making water, this is the next best place for humans
 
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