The exploration – and exploitation – of lunar resources is among the priorities of space agencies. It so happens that although the moon still holds many secrets, humanity already has a few certainties. One in particular: in the soil, craters and poles of the Moon there are resources of enormous logistical and therefore economic value.
Countries and their agencies are investigating how to access resources such as water, minerals and volatileswhich could be critical to ensuring supplies of lunar exploration, but also to the Moon one day being a base from which to depart for other planets.
In this direction, a team of scientists launched an ambitious project: design a reflector that captures solar energy and make it reach distant places on the moon. Especially inside the craters, where the sunlight does not reach and where there are minerals with a huge potential for use.
Like no other, Solar energy is “at hand” on the moon. If it were possible to generate energy on the page from the Sun, power supply for lunar exploration would be a solved problem.
Scientists will try to develop a a compact reflector that can be carried on space missions within payload limitations. The project is a partnership between NASA Langley Research Center and the Texas A&M University College of Engineering.
“If you place a reflector on the rim of a crater and have a collector in the center of the crater that receives sunlight, you can use solar energy”said Darren Hartl, associate professor of aerospace engineering at Texas A&M University. “So you’re kind of deflecting the sunlight towards the crater.
Scientists use modeling techniques to evaluate possible reflector designs. As they indicated, the models suggest that a the parabolic shape is optimal for maximizing the amount of light reflected on the bottom of the craters.
“During space missions, astronauts might need it deploy a large parabolic reflector from the landing system relatively small and light. That’s where we come in,” Hartl said. “We are studying the use of shape memory materials that will change the shape of the reflector in response to temperature changes in the system.”
In search of the treasures of the moon
As space exploration progresses, monthly mining is becoming more and more relevant due to the interest in space colonization and the search for resources to sustain human life in space. It involves the mining of minerals and resources such as helium-3, water and metals present on the lunar surface.
One area of particular interest is Shackleton Crater, 21 kilometers wide and 4 kilometers deepwhich is located at the south pole of the moon and is named in honor of the Antarctic explorer.
This crater is particularly attractive for mining due to its permanent shadow which indicating the presence of water ice and other volatiles trapped inside. Lunar water will be essential for future space missions, as it can provide oxygen for breathing, water for drinking, and can be used as a fuel source.
Agencies are developing robots and probes that could drill into the lunar surface, collect samples and process resources for human use or transport back to Earth. And of course the energy supply systems that keep things running.
Link to news:
Shining light on untapped lunar resources Comunicado de prensa. Texas A&M University College of Engineering.
