Proceedings of the FY90 Workshop on Extraterrestrial Mining and Construction, August 7 - 9, 1990
Abstract
This report documents the proceedings of a workshop on issues involved in extraterrestrial planet surface activities involving mining and construction. In this second workshop dedicated to the subject, participants formed three discussion groups: (1) Construction and Mining Concepts and Equipment Designs, (2) Design Standards and Codes, and (3) Operations and Performance. Mining and construction tasks were categorized into 11 primary functions. Several equipment types and designs were reviewed for specific surface tasks, and surface and underground mining techniques were reviewed. It was noted that there is a need to develop separate codes and specifications for extraterrestrial construction, although earth-based codes provide a good starting point, and existing Corps of Engineers' Construction criteria and specifications may be a good model on which to base the new codes. Several key operational tasks, and concepts for accomplishing them were developed. One such important principle is to progress from simple to complex. Any lunar base should begin construction with modular, self contained units, and gradually progress to more complex construction using locally derived/developed materials. All groups emphasized that mission plans should be formed as concretely as possible, including crew size and mission timetable, to help establish realistic operations and performance criteria.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA253399
Entities
People
- Alvin Smith
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory