Loon013
Loon013 t1_j30bpk6 wrote
Reply to Helium-3 by fangedrandy
Helium 3 is much easier to produce on earth than it is to mine on the moon. Tritium (hydrogen with two neutrons) is used in h-bombs. It has a half life of 12 yrs and decays into helium 3. Tritium can be produced by bombarding lithium with neutrons.
And we are not capable of deuterium/helium 3 fusion reactors yet, which are orders of magnitude more difficult than deuterium/tritium reactors.
Fusion power is like a manned mars mission, always 20 to 30 years from now. I know there are recent developments that may change both, but they both still need significant breakthroughs.
Loon013 t1_j2f9d2t wrote
Reply to comment by dern_the_hermit 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 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.
Loon013 t1_j2f81tx wrote
Reply to comment by dern_the_hermit 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
There is evidence that lunar dust may be elevated by electromagnetic forces. Differences in potential can arise between day lit and dark areas.
Loon013 t1_j38a6q1 wrote
Reply to comment by spitfish in DUI checkpoint coming to Worcester County by HRJafael
How about taking away one's right to drink instead of one's right to drive? The right to drink is almost never questioned. How many lives could be changed by prohibiting alcohol consumption for just 30 days.