Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
May 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008aas...212.2507c&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #212, #25.07; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 40, p.223
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Scientific paper
We report development of an ISRU (in situ resource utilization) process to fabricate large telescope mirrors, solar concentrators, and structures on the Moon. The Moon is an excellent site for a future space base and space astrophysics research. However transporting extremely large (10-50m) telescopes to the Moon, building up an observatory structure, and providing power for operation face the obstacles of high cost and logistical difficulties. We suggest a simple and novel approach to the problem. Large mirrors can be made by spincasting a liquid over or mixed with lunar surface soil (regolith). The liquid, which is a special vacuum stable cryogenic polymer, gradually solidifies while spun into a hard parabolic surface. Additives including carbon nanotubes and fibers can be used to increase tensile strength, reduce cure shrinkage, and enhance thermal conductivity. The process uses a single apparatus to make multiple mirrors. Large arrays of solar concentrators can be fabricated to provide power to a lunar base. For astronomy, the mirror surface can be polished or modified in situ with an ion beam like process taking advantage of the high vacuum of the lunar environment. Moreover, we have found that the simple process of mixing a small amount of polymer with lunar regolith yields after curing a material similar to cement in terms of strength, density, and consistency. This `lunar cement’ may be useful as building blocks for human habitats and telescope structures. We report on experiments carried out at GSFC to demonstrate feasibility of the concept. Mirrors and bricks have been made by curing a cryogenic polymer with added JSC-1A Fine lunar soil simulant and carbon nanotubes. Preliminary observations have been carried out using such `Moon dust’ mirrors.
Chen Peter C.
Oliversen Ronald James
van Steenberg Michael E.
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