Gaia Selene - Earth Moon There are two and a half ways to save the Earth and two of them are on the Moon. What are the most compelling reasons for space colonization? A new technological study shows that by the year 2050 we will need three times as much primary power and it will have to be three times as clean. There is no earthly technology now on line, or capable of coming on line by the year 2050, that can solve our energy problem. tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13223810 2005-11-18T19:39:12Z Blogger
This is an Atom formatted XML site feed. It is intended to be viewed in a Newsreader or syndicated to another site. Please visit the Blogger Help for more info.
 true Chippro 2005-05-27T12:30:00-07:00 2005-05-27T22:00:20Z 2005-05-27T19:30:49Z tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13223810.post-111722224986902398 Moon Umbrellas
The question of solar power during the lunar night has again come up.

Not being a scientist, and in fact, reading Catch-22 during my high school science classes, I hesitate to speak up. However, has anyone thought of controlling the sun’s flux by reflectors and umbrellas. We constantly use these techniques to control light in recording television and films and there is no reason they can’t work on the moon.

Place a solar reflector at a point in space where the push of the sun’s flux is balanced by the moon’s gravity. Bounce the sunlight onto the solar panels at the Moon Base during the night for continual power. Then it doesn’t matter where you place the moon base.

Bounce the sunlight during the day to double the available power.

The reflector could be thin film mylar. There is no atmospheric drag to deflect it. It could be curved to focus it or convexly curved to provide a broader, lower power over a large area, say to illuminate night exploration. By controlling the curvature and angle you could provide the requisite power for any need. You could power roving exploration vehicles from space by simply covering them with a moving beam. The panels could also serve as radio relays.

You could also place an umbrella between the sun and the moon surface to shield the base from the heat of the sun during working hours, to lower the temperature on equipment and people. A half-silvered reflector could control the amount of sunlight passing to give you any required temperature.

Placing more substantial umbrellas, made of compacted regolith or basalt, you could shield the moon base from nasties, such as gamma rays and solar flares, lower the radiation burden on the base, and extend the time for human surface activity.

In fact, moon umbrellas could serve as mini, movable atmospheres in protecting moon bases and controlling the sun’s power and other radiation. It would make it possible to live on the surface in domed cities with a view of the earth, moon surface and stars, rather than underground in lava tubes.

Could somebody with an actual degree help me out with this?

Thanks,

Chippro
 false