Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxp.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!ihnp4!ihuxp!wbpesch
From: wbpesch@ihuxp.UUCP (Walt Pesch)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: What about Cavemen?
Message-ID: <581@ihuxp.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10-Jan-84 19:16:43 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxp.581
Posted: Tue Jan 10 19:16:43 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Jan-84 08:35:41 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 20

We talk about orbitting space stations, going to build a lunar Base,
going on manned Mars Missions, etc.  It seems to me that the easiest
way to go for a long time/permanent stay in space would be through
asteroids.  Wouldn't it be easier to use a low-level neuclear device
to blast a hole (cave) in an asteroid.  Come back in three years.  the
heat from the detonation should have fused the walls giving an
air-tight seal.  Put in an airlock, and pump in air, and you have
living quarters.  Put a few solar panels in on the surface, and you
have power.  Crush some of the rocks, and you have soil, and plant and
you have crops.  We can recycle the water, or perhaps find a water
pocket on that asteroid, or on a nearby asteroid.  Does this seem so
unreasonable.  I would also say that it is probable as possible to get
from here to the asteroid belt as it is to get from here to the
gravity well of Mars, and back out of the gravity well again.  Well,
where are the holes in my arguement, or then why aren't they doing it?


                                          Walt Pesch
                                    AT&T Western Electric                                                                              AT&T Technologies
                                     ihnp4!ihuxp!wbpesch