Use of Extraterrestrial Resources for Human Space Missions to Moon or Mars (Springer Praxis Books)

This book presents a detailed, independent review of essentially all the technical aspects of “in situ resource utilization” (ISRU), offering the first in-depth discussion of the issues of crew size, ascent from Mars, and ISRU processes. It also provides data on lunar ISRU not previously available to the public. This new edition provides a short synopsis of the Mars mission, and discusses various topics, including solid oxide electrolysis, which promises to be an important part of the ISRU picture. In addition, it explores ancillary needs for Mars ISRU and how to obtain water on Mars. It is the go-to resource for professionals involved in planning space missions or working on ISRU processes, as well as students planning careers in space technology. 䨩s book presents a detailed, independent review of essentially all the technical aspects of in situ resource utilization(ISRU), offering the first in-depth discussion of the issues of crew size, ascent from Mars, and ISRU processes. It also provides data on lunar ISRU not previously available to the public. This new edition provides a short synopsis of the Mars mission, and discusses various topics, including solid oxide electrolysis, which promises to be an important part of the ISRU picture. In addition, it explores ancillary needs for Mars ISRU and how to obtain water on Mars. It is the go-to resource for professionals involved in planning space missions or working on ISRU processes, as well as students planning careers in space technology Front Matter ....Pages i-xxii Mars ISRU (Donald Rapp)....Pages 1-123 Lunar ISRU (Donald Rapp)....Pages 125-146 Value of ISRU (Donald Rapp)....Pages 147-162 Refueling Spacecraft in LEO Using Propellants Derived from the Moon or Asteroids (Donald Rapp)....Pages 163-176 Recent NASA Plans (Donald Rapp)....Pages 177-185 Summary and Conclusions (Donald Rapp)....Pages 187-196 Back Matter ....Pages 197-229 This book examines the costs of implementing in situ (ISRU) resource utilization on the Moon and Mars. It Includes three approaches for based on processing only the atmosphere: solid oxide electrolysis, reverse water gas shift reaction, and absorbing water