Space Resource Utilization Research Articles

Infrastructure for a lunar base

Exploration of the Moon is the most crucial and decisive step toward human expansion into the vast reaches of space. The Moon is the natural and ideal testbed for determining human capability to survive, function, expand and settle into the space environment. Scientific studies, astronomic observations, and exploitation and utilization of space resources culminating in the establishment of a self-sufficient permanently human-tended lunar base are the goals of lunar exploration. Four development stages in the evolutionary exploration of the Moon are suggested: (1) exploratory; (2) pioneering; (3) outpost; and (4) base. Overall goals and specific objectives, functional requirements, construction conditions, and life support systems requirements needed in each stage are identified.

Atmospheric dynamics and bioregenerative technologies in a soil-based ecological life support system: Initial results from biosphere 2

Biosphere 2 is the first man-made, soil-based, bioregenerative life support system to be developed and tested. The utilization and amendment of local space resources, e.g. martian soil or lunar regolith, for agricultural and other purposes will be necesary if we are to minimize the requirement for Earth materials in the creation of long-term off-planet bases and habitations. Several of the roles soil plays in Biosphere 2 are 1) for air purification 2) as a key component in created wetland systems to recycle human and animal wastes and 3) as nutrient base for a sustainable agricultural cropping program. Initial results from the Biosphere 2 closure experiment are presented. These include the accelerated cycling rates due to small reservoir sizes, strong diurnal and seasonal fluxes in atmospheric CO 2, an unexpected and continuing decline in atmospheric oxygen, overall maintenance of low levels of trace gases, recycling of waste waters through biological regeneration systems, and operation of an agriculture designed to provide diverse and nutritionally adequate diets for the crew members.

MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF RESOURCE UTILIZATION IN ASSEMBLAGES OF RANGELAND GRASSHOPPERS (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE)

Abstract A study was conducted in a typical steppe area in central Inner Mongolia to determine resource utilization in time, space, and food by grasshopper assemblages. Pattern of use for these resources was analyzed from three vegetation types by examining species‐specific niche breadths, overlaps and partitions of resource utilization as well as population sizes. Popular niche indices and the principal components analysis (PCA) procedure were used to indicate the interrelations among grasshopper species. In the heterogeneous grassland environments resulting from livestock grazing, eleven grasshopper species were categorized respectively based on the 3‐dimensional niche segregation and overlap degree. Population sizes were determined by the calorific values of their realized population biomass. Comparison in niche breadth displayed that species which had a broad niche along one dimension at least had a narrow niche along another one. There were sufficient differences between species for overall overlap associated with resource use to explain coexistence in the assemblages by resource segregation. Distinct rule of niche complementarity in overlap was not found. Evidence from this study implied that the species‐specific use of resource may be due primarily to grasshopper adaptive differentiation and to coevolutionary interactions between grasshopper and plant rather than interspecific competition among grasshopper species.

An analysis of possible advanced space strategies featuring the role of space resource utilization

A major weakness of space planning in the U.S.A. has been the lack of clearly defined, major space goals within a coherent, politically palatable, long-range national space strategy. Unresolved issues include the Space Station's role, the most profitable space exploration strategies, and space resource use. We present an analysis of these factors with special emphasis on space resource utilization. Our performance modeling reveals that lunar oxygen is useful on or near the Moon and—if lunar hydrogen is available—lunar oxygen is also economical in LEO. Use of volatile materials from Phobos/Deimos is preferred or attractive in LEO, low lunar orbit, and—if lunar hydrogen is unavailable—on the Moon. Thus it appears that resource synergisms between operations in the Mars system and in Earth-Moon space could become commercially important.

A strategy for investment in space resource utilization

During the first quarter of the next Century, space transportation systems will be capable of routine flights of humans and cargo to the Moon. The general acceptance of permanent human presence in space, as exemplified by at least two manned stations in LEO at that time, will lead to one or more staffed outposts on the Moon. Whether such outposts evolve into sustained, growing settlements will depend, in part, on whether the economic context attracts substantial private investment. A planetary surface provides a material and gravitational environment distinct from that of an orbiting space station and thus provides a setting familiar to non-aerospace sectors of terrestrial industry. Examination of current trends in terms of historical processes which operate on new frontiers suggests that the limited markets and unfamiliar technologies associated with space commercialization today may change dramatically in 20 years when lunar resources are accessible. However, the uncertainty and vagueness of such projections discourages investment at a useful scale unless a strategy for technology development can be implemented which provides tangible and marketable benefits in the intermediate term. At the present time technologies can be identified (a) that will be required (and therefore valuable) at the time of lunar settlement and (b) whose development can be planned to yield marketable intermediate products on Earth. Formation of pre-competitive, collaborative research consortia in the industrial sector could reduce technical and economic risk in the early stages and could promote a favorable political environment for the future growth of space activities.

Space resource utilization by small farmers of southwestern Nigeria

The factors and characteristics of space resource utilization in small scale farming system are investigated. Small farmers achieve efficient space utilization by practising multiple cropping. Inter‐crop distances data were analysed statistically using ANOVA with repeated design. Variations in the inter‐crop distances of the multiple‐crops were highly significant while those of mono‐crops were not so. Space utilization could be more efficient on the multiple‐cropped farms than on the mono‐cropped farms. Multiple‐cropping systems should be investigated with a view to improving the combination and planting sequence.

Highlights of the discussion

On May 21, 2015, the US House of Representatives passed a revised version of the ASTEROIDS Act, now labeled the Space Resource Exploration ad Utilization Act. If endorsed also by the US Senate the Act may be formally enacted into law by the President of the United States. In the light of this important development it seems appropriate to analyze the content and the legal and political implications of the Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act.

Radiochemical automation achieved through a modified autosampling device

The escalation in application of cyclotron produced radionuclides particularly directed toward positron emission tomography has placed increased demands upon cyclotron facilities to provide a variety of radiopharmaceutical agents in a timely manner with efficient utilization of space and human resources. A unique approach to this challenge has been developed which adapts currently available chemical equipment and “in-house” software packages. The central component of our synthetic unit is a commercially available autosampling injection device that has been modified to allow a combination of chemical manipulations to be performed. The compact unit efficiently utilized restricted “hot cell” space and is readily serviced. The system is currently in operation for the radiopharmaceutical preparation of “no carrier added” 18F labeled 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose. A detailed description of the radiochemical unit and its capabilities will be presented.