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Capture can be accomplished by placing an O'Neill mass driver on the surface and use some of the asteroid's mass as reaction mass to maneuver the asteroid into an earth capture orbit so that it settles at one of the LaGrange points.

If its metalic then make pots and pans and ginzu knifes. If its carbonaceous then the organic chemicals can be processed for a space colony's carbon needs, (potting soil, fertilizer, and even rocket fuel. Robert Zubrin the NASA scientist who has urged a MARS mission has suggested that Phobos and Diemos which are the Martian moons, ( and carbonaceous) could be used to produce methane which could serve as a chemical rocket fuel!)

This could be a generational project to excite this era's rocket scientists! We need another Homer Hickam, (author of Rocket Boys and the star of the movie "October Sky). This past weekend our NSS club set up a display at the Dallas Science Place. We were fortunate to have a visit from two of the Garland High School students who went to the Intel Science Fair in Louisville KY. Their project was an ion engine and the acquitted themselves quite well. Two or the original Rocket boys were in attendance but they didn't have an opportunity to meet them. Still and all the flame is alive and we must continue to fan it!!!!

Yeah, I know. My Master's thesis was analyzing the prospects for profit from asteroid mining. Had to figure out the technology, look at the mining industry and world economy, the legal environment. Even calculated some orbits and did some research into rocket science. Presented the report to some hardheaded engineers and scientists and economists. They were skeptical, but eventually bought off on it. Almost 25 years ago.

October Sky

A FANTASTIC movie! It reminded me of when I grew up in the 50's and 60's. A few friends and I were probably the first in our area to build and fly ESTES rockets. (And a few home-made jobs too, hehehehe)

I can't tell you how many times we were chased/warned/scolded by the neighbors, parents and cops for "playing with illegal fireworks".

Interestingly enough and amusing to me, is a program our elementary school has been running for several years. Every October several grades spend time learning about and building ESTES rockets. It culminates with a field trip to the park where the kids get to fly their rockets.

It's a pretty big deal for us with guest speakers at the park teaching the kids how to calculate achieved alltitude, predict where the rockets will land, etcetera. Last year we had three launchers going with a rocket heading skyward evey couple of minutes.

The amusing part to me is sitting back and watching many of the same neighbors/parents/cops who chastised us now taking part in the event. Some of them even help the kids build the rockets or line up guest speakers.

prisoner6