O
oldAtlas_Eguy
Guest
I was wondering how well a Lunar Tug using a VASIMR would be on a viable business model if all of the Argon would have to come from earth. I found out that it is rather easy to get Argon from Lunar regolith just by heating it.
http://www.geochronometria.pl/pdf/geo_33/Geo33_06.pdf
So not only mining water but mining Argon would be a good first step because of the savings both could make to an Earth-Moon transportation infrastructure. Being able to get half or most of the Argon for the TL Tug from regolith would lower operation costs. It would also increase outbound cargo for the Tug since it would not have to carry as much Argon for use on the return trip. So an increase in capability for the Tug could be had without any upgrade of the Tug at all!
I wonder how many other small little innovations there are that can make significant commercial viability impacts to the TL tug concept?
http://www.geochronometria.pl/pdf/geo_33/Geo33_06.pdf
So not only mining water but mining Argon would be a good first step because of the savings both could make to an Earth-Moon transportation infrastructure. Being able to get half or most of the Argon for the TL Tug from regolith would lower operation costs. It would also increase outbound cargo for the Tug since it would not have to carry as much Argon for use on the return trip. So an increase in capability for the Tug could be had without any upgrade of the Tug at all!
I wonder how many other small little innovations there are that can make significant commercial viability impacts to the TL tug concept?