Space Solar Power Review Vol 5 Num 1

TABLE 4 LUNAR DUST AND ROCKS (EARTHWARD LOW LATITUDES) nature) to preserve human life on Earth? Can we even promote more vigorous healthy growth on Earth? is net growth possible on Earth? What is net growth? This author does not know the answers. Even more troubling, he has seen few such discussions in the literatures of physics, engineering, philosophy or even economics (23a). Many papers focus on the more complex and limited question: What is the carrying capacity of Earth (24,25)? However, one unexpected direction for establishing the truth does seem clear. 3. THE MOON AND NET GROWTH OR NEW WEALTH The moon is a dead world. We can use it to attempt to demonstrate new net growth. We now know in detail about a fraction of its resources and these resources match to a remarkable extent the non-fuel component of “Demandite” of our engineering experience. We can substitute solar derived power in space for energy from ancient carbon (26). Most, if not all, the components for power from space can be made from lunar materials (23b). Table 4 summarizes the obvious materials resources of low-latitude Earthwardfacing regions of the maria (dark) and highland (bright) lunar surface to a depth of several meters. These major, common resources of oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, titanium, calcium and magnesium can be supplemented through beneficiation with the other minor/trace elements shown in Table 4. The bulk soil and its oxides are immensely useful in protecting us from radiation (23a,28b), smoothing temperature extremes, in making glasses and ceramics, and are readily available for those pur-

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