wbpesch@ihuxp.UUCP (Walt Pesch) (01/16/84)
First let me say that the basic idea brought up by < REM @ MIT-MC >
is valid in that a mass accelerator based on the moon would be
worthwhile for industrial purposes. For the simple fact that the moon
in comparision to an asteroid is a limitless supply of materials. And
the mass driver does overcome the problems of the gravity well. The
only problems that could be brought up would deal with the cost of
establishing the mass driver, and the technology to create and
maintain the mass driver both on the sending and on the recieving
ends. But this role would be in a support role for near-earth bases,
for the asteroid belt (which is the logical place to go) would be a
little too far. I think that there is the minerals available in the
asteroid belt without the necessary cost of importing them.
I would also like to bring up the additional question to those in
net.astro(.expert) as to what the actual compositions of asteroids
are. The question could also include the theories as to whether the
asteroid belt was once a planet, or is natural. Is there a source
that I can refer to on what the various types of asteroids there are,
and the mineral contents of the various forms of asteroids.
One thing that I have thought of is that if the asteroid belt is a
broken-up planet, then perhaps not only would the inner parts of an
actual planet be available for study, but also the deep minerals would
be available for easy strip mining. Therefor increasing the value of
these colonies, and also we can see a worthwhile increase in the
economic worth of asteroid mining colonies.
Walt Pesch
AT&T Western Electric AT&T Technologies
ihnp4!ihuxp!wbpesch