Scientific and terrestrial benefits of the Space Exploration Initiative
Abstract
A number of advanced nuclear technologies may be best developed in space. By virtue of its ultrahigh vacuum, space would be a good laboratory for nuclear fusion research, with the potential to provide a clean, abundant energy supply for space power, propulsion, and terrestrial applications. Inertial confinement fusion targets can be fabricated with better sphericity and uniformity in a zero-gravity environment. The lunar soil may be mined for helium-3, a potentially important fusion fuel. Advanced accelerator research and antimatter research may best be done on the remote surface of the Moon, with its free ultrahigh vacuum. Nuclear astronomy, measuring X-rays, gamma rays, cosmic rays, and neutrons, can best be done in space, where distortion by the Earth's atmosphere is avoided.
- Publication:
-
Space Nuclear Power Systems
- Pub Date:
- 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991snpw.proc..234D
- Keywords:
-
- Aerospace Technology Transfer;
- Space Exploration;
- Technology Utilization;
- Antimatter;
- Helium Isotopes;
- Inertial Confinement Fusion;
- Lunar Resources;
- Magnetic Energy Storage;
- Mining;
- Nuclear Astrophysics;
- Nuclear Electric Power Generation;
- Nuclear Propulsion;
- Astronautics (General)