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Conference Proceedings

Fifth International Future Mining Conference 2021

Conference Proceedings

Fifth International Future Mining Conference 2021

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Picturing the future - assessment of mining systems needed for lunar volatiles excavation

As humanity looks to move into a new frontier, the frontier of space, the need for resources off of Earth will only increase with time. Resources collected off-Earth on moons and asteroids will be used for construction of larger spacecraft and colonies; they will fuel transportation throughout the solar system, and provide life support for crews. Of particular interest to this investigation are resources that will assist in the early phases of off-Earth mining operations, resources like ice, which allow for the production of drinking water, breathable air, and rocket fuel. This extended abstract will mainly cover the following topics: past research into complete mining systems, realistic mass constraints for the next decade, specifics of the lunar environment, and an overview of the proposed mining system, that are considered include excavation, control, power, and resource transportation. The outcome of this paper will provide insights into the feasible off-Earth resources extractions.
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  • Picturing the future - assessment of mining systems needed for lunar volatiles excavation
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  • Published: 2021
  • Pages: 3
  • PDF Size: 0.395 Mb.
  • Unique ID: P-01617-Z3J5X5

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