Mining the moon for a nuclear future

cnn ^ | 12/18/06 | Dean Irvine

[KevinDavis]

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The race to return to the moon is on. Earlier this month NASA unveiled its mission statement to revisit earth's satellite and create a permanent base there. While it may become the jumping off point for further exploration of our solar system and beyond, there are more earthly prizes in sight, with some scientists believing that it has the potential to solve the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

Mining the moon for fuel used in nuclear fusion reactors is among NASA's 200-plus set of mission goals and could precipitate another reason for other countries and private investors to join future lunar exploration.

The substance that has such large potential is an isotope called helium-3, a form of helium but with only one neutron instead of two.

[KevinDavis]

[TheTruthAintPretty]

But what about lunar warming, and the effect on Moon Manitees?

[lesser_satan]

One thing I worry about: If we removed enough material to significantly alter the mass of the moon, could it affect the moon's orbit, and if so, what effects would that have on tides and things like that?

[Centurion2000]

One thing I worry about: If we removed enough material to significantly alter the mass of the moon

mass of the Moon = 7.36 × 10^22 kilograms

One percent = 7.36 x 10^20 kilograms = 8.11E17 TONS
The bulk density of the Moon is 3.4 g/cc
Estimated 1% of moon's material would be 2.16E23 cm^3.

OR roughly a ball of rock 744km across.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it too much for the time being.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the post and ping, and here are some older topics:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=helium3

[timer]

Returning to the moon in force to establish bases on the antarctic model is a worthy goal in and of itself, but if Helium 3 is your primary reason, CF/LENR has long demonstrated tritium(and thus He3 w/H3 halflife of 12.5 years)production quickly and cheaply. Do you dare look at the facts?

[RightWhale]

The He-3 myth continues to thrive and generate more energy than lunar He-3 ever will.