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I'm just speculating but maybe we could build a space station inside, using the shell as a natural radiation shield (apparently most asteroids contain material
by dreen 6y ago
I'm just speculating but maybe we could build a space station inside, using the shell as a natural radiation shield (apparently most asteroids contain material which can at least be made to be used that way).
There is also of course the immense flex factor for any organization that manages to pull off creating a new moon.
- bewaretheirs 6y agoAll you need for radiation shielding is enough mass that isn't itself dangerously radioactive that stays where you want it. If you're trying to make a mass-efficient radiation shield, the choice of elements matters (lighter elements are better than heavy; polyethylene is one of the better ones because it incorporates a lot of hydrogen), but if you have a big enough asteroid, just start digging...
- TeMPOraL 6y agoQuoting from Wikipedia: "Analysis of the gravitational and thermal effects has given a bulk density of ρ = 1190±13 kg/m3, which is only slightly denser than water. Therefore, the predicted macroporosity is 40±10%, suggesting the interior has a rubble pile structure." Translation: if exterior is like interior, and interior is like suggested above, then this asteroid isn't a rock, but a whole lot of stones that just fly close together thanks to gravity. Gravity isn't a particularly strong force, so there may not be much to attach to, and if we'd start drilling, we'd probably just turn it into a slowly expanding pile of stones.
- gus_massa 6y agoTechnical question: Can it has also a lot of ice mixed with some rock? This can explain a density similar to 917kg/m^3 Non technical question: If the interior has a rubble pile structure, can we blow up it like in Armageddon?