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From: don@umd5.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Re: Lunar rock chemistry
Message-ID: <407@umd5.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Mar-85 16:08:52 EST
Article-I.D.: umd5.407
Posted: Mon Mar 11 16:08:52 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Mar-85 09:23:26 EST
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>> Is it not true that if one passes an electric current through molten lunar
>> rock, one will get O2 in quantity ?
>> .. If this is true then the Lunar Explorers will need not
>> carry a ton of atmosphere along with them to the moon !!
>> 
> 
> You must have seen Robinson Crusoe on Mars.
> I have a lump of anorthosite (sp) which is the material lunar astronauts
> practiced with to learn lunar planetary science.  It does not appear to
> me that it would release O2 if it were or weren't molten.  You would have
> to carry some incredible resources to raise the heat and the electricity.
> 2 langleys of solar energy is not a very great energy flux to make large
> quantites of O2.
> A break even point ala fusion is a third consideration even if it were
> possible to release the O2.
> 
> --eugene miya
>   NASA Ames Research Center

[]
As a matter of fact, I haven't seen "Robinson Crusoe on Mars". Is it a
classic ?
I read the finding in an otherwise reputable science magazine -- Science News,
Science Digest, or something of that ilk. I can't be too precise on which one
in particular since I think it has been about four years since the article
appeared. No, I DO NOT read the National Enquirer, if that is what you are
thinking!!
When I say O2 in quantity, I do not mean that one suddenly gets weather 
balloon filling amounts -- Presto!
Rather, nothing magic about it at all. The idea is like sticking two
electrodes in water .. Of course the Explorers will need to bring some
atmosphere along with them, but as their needs expand this would be a method
to save the cost of shipping them the raw materials they will need.
Given they can produce electricity 2 weeks out of four(solar cells), and
can focus the sun with a mirror(enough heat to aquire 50mL or so of molten
rock or molten soil, wouldn't you agree?) what prevents the possibility of
obtaining O2 by electrolysis ? What's the chemical composition of the stuff
anyway ?

-- 
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When the EPA says, "Get the lead out!", what do they REALLY mean ?
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-Chris Sylvain

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