by bridging the gaps shown in Fig. 4 between NASA/AEROSPACE, the lunar/ asteroidal community, and the materials and manufacturing segments of the economy. Commitment by NASA to the steady return and use of lunar soils in LEO and to a seed program to bridge the experience (Fig. 4) and cost gaps (Fig. 6) would be a powerful attraction to many groups which have not directly contributed to the space program since Apollo, if ever. 7. A RANGE OF EXAMPLES Very likely, many surprising achievements will result from cis-lunar industrialization. Since predictions this early will undoubtedly miss the most important developments, we will suggest a few without fear of spoiling the fun of later realizations. The External Tank (ET) and residual propellants of the STS can be taken into orbit with little or no payload penalty. The propellants might be saved for many subsequent uses. ETs could be used with tethers to transport vehicles to higher (past GEO, 86) or lower altitudes (G. Colombo, 50). ETs might prove to be very useful construction facilities if equipped prelaunch with guideways for use by low power robots. ETs might be used as raw materials for constructing more complex devices or facilities (e.g., solar concentrators, reaction vessels). ETs could be sectioned or powdered and then reformed into radiation shields for human protection (28b). It might be possible to transfer technology for terrestrial production of cheap photovoltaic systems (5 $/watt) to space and use ET aluminum for array structures. ET materials could be used to support LEO-lunar traffic or as scrap in space for powder metallurgy (89). Even if the initial products were much more expensive, they might be cheap compared to present space-rated systems and would build practical experience quickly. It is conceivable that carefully directed streams of lunar dust can be used to slow down shielded rockets for lunar landings or to accelerate rockets just above the atmosphere of Earth to orbital velocity (35i). Very small masses of equipment and low power levels are needed to produce these dust streams. Lunar glass, ceramics, dust and metals can be formed into very strong shields against radiation and impacts to protect satellites or facilities against natural or deliberate harm. New opportunities will be created to do science off Earth. Many experiments can be reworked relatively quickly and therefore more economically in space to allow new observations. Mass will be available to shield from cosmic rays or make centrifuges or dense masks for X-ray observations. Better separation of variables will be possible than on Earth. Use of materials off Earth will certainly advance solar system exploration (78). Discovery of ice in the lunar polar regions and concentrations of key process elements would widen the utility of lunar materials and support much more extensive lunar research efforts (87). Demonstration of new net growth would have a powerful effect on how people view the world and themselves, as did the landings on the moon. It would encourage thought and action toward the creation of new and useful resources rather than the constraining of resources by cartels, nations or individuals. Innovative new growth will be possible. After all, if the old dead moon can be industrialized, then why can't much more be done on Earth? Creation of space materials industries will offer the option of limited external control over input conditions of solar radiation to Earth. This may be a critical need in the 21 st century if mankind has already overstepped the bounds of carbon burning. LEO business centers have been proposed for manufacturing and research (91).
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