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Another interesting aspect of a moon base -- would it be easier and/or cheaper to produce propellants there instead of sending four rockets up to fuel each Mars
by mkempe 9y ago
Another interesting aspect of a moon base -- would it be easier and/or cheaper to produce propellants there instead of sending four rockets up to fuel each Mars-bound ship?
- duskwuff 9y agoUnlikely. The Moon lacks the feedstocks required to produce hydrocarbon fuels like RP-1, and is likely to lack the power to perform energy-intensive operations like cracking water to liquid hydrogen/oxygen.
- pacificmint 9y agoOn Mars you can use the Sabatier reaction to make Methane, and you can make Oxygen from Water or from CO2. What would you use on the Moon to make the Methane?
- mkempe 9y agoHeat up regolith?
- Nomentatus 9y agoYes. Oxygen is plentiful in the soil. You might have to bring your own hydrogen, but it's nothing if not light.