trc (09/16/82)
Some more thoughts on how remote mining could be aided by computer graphics: The major tasks of a mining remote, as I see it, include: Initial self set up - after landing (little intelligence needed) Set up of auxiliary equipment - E.G. solar power collector to power the remote - (may require intelligence) Self maintenence, test, and repair - (needs lots of intelligence) Prospecting for minerals - (involves moving around, needs intelligence) Extraction of minerals - (depending on methods, can be dangerous, needs intelligence) Transport of minerals - (can follow a pre-scouted path, some intelligence required) Processessing of materials - (intelligence required depends on the complexity of processing - crunching it and piling it up doesnt take much, and might be a reasonable 1st objective) Remote maintenence and repair can be aided by a model of the remote, that can be manipulated to generate control to manipulate the real remote. Problems, damage, dust, and such can be simulated. Prospecting will probably involve moving about, collecting samples, and analysing them. Camera images will have to be analysed to create a model of terrain (lunain?). Probe readings will have to be incorporated into the model, and processed to detect potential danger areas and rich mining areas. Extraction of minerals may be done by scooping up loose material, drilling, blasting, or possibly cutting. Blasting would require a supply of explosives, which would be soon depleted, and is inately dangerous. Cutting and drilling are high-energy approaches, and would not appear suitable, at least for a first attempt. Thus, collection of already loose material will probably be the first major means of mining. A scoop, or perhaps a rotating broom could collect dust and gravel. Such an approach can be handled by planning a collection path, which avoids obstacles such as large rocks and pits. The terrain model could be segmented into collection zones by the operator, in which a standard collection method (selected from several), or one specially programmed by the operator would be applied. For example, the material might just be pushed up into a pile. Actually, there is one means of mining that is potentially practical for lunar mining. An array of mirrors could be used to focus sunlight into shaded (cooler) areas, then moved away. Repetitions of this cycle could be used to break up rocks. The cycle would be able to repeat at a faster rate and at greater temperatures than normal in the lunar environment. This is similar to the techniques used by ancient miners, who would light fires to heat the rock. It has the advantage that large mirrors should be easy to construct from light materials, and will not wear out so readily. The mirrors could serve multiple purposes, by smelting ore and generating power as well. Here, computer graphics could be used to plan target areas, model or display temperatures, and automate the manipulation of the mirrors. Transporting of materials can be planned by the operator by tracing a safe and efficient path over the terrain model. Instructions to the remote would be automatically generated. The operator could then carefully run the remote over the path several times, using a stop-look-go sequence for safety. Processing of the materials will probably involve smelting them, and can use the solar mirror approach outlined above. Rather than send along a blast furnace, it will probably be most practical to melt the ore, and let it drain into a container. It should be possible to create some sort of melting surface on the side of a hill. Tom Craver houti!trc