Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

forestapee t1_j2elurf wrote

Reply to comment by Zee2A in Israeli pens plan for belt of solar panels on moon to power oxygen production. With NASA mulling nuclear reactor to generate energy, Ben Gurion University expert says his idea would produce same amount of power with six times less mass. by Zee2A

I'm wondering how the panels would hold up to debris impacts on the moon long term. Lots more protection on Earth

12

_off_piste_ t1_j2erqax wrote

What about the abrasive nature of moon dust? I know there’s no wind like on Earth and Mars but it seems like travel to install and other operations will have an effect on how much is in the atmosphere.

11

dern_the_hermit t1_j2ezy61 wrote

Moon dust won't linger off the ground like it would in an atmosphere. You kick dust up and it falls right back down.

Which isn't to suggest it's not a concern, just that there's not going to be big billowing clouds that linger for any appreciable amount of time.

1

Loon013 t1_j2f81tx wrote

There is evidence that lunar dust may be elevated by electromagnetic forces. Differences in potential can arise between day lit and dark areas.

4

dern_the_hermit t1_j2f8la4 wrote

True, but that phenomenon can be used to our advantage (.pdf warning) to repel dust as well.

1

Loon013 t1_j2f9d2t wrote

I agree, but that will require some more mass and energy to implement. Those requirements will be considerable on the scale of a polar solar ring.

2

dern_the_hermit t1_j2fa17w wrote

I think it would be trivial in comparison to the whole project. I mean, it's no secret that just about every aspect of a megastructure is definitionally huge.

1