Joystiq
Joystiq News
Whether or not Blue Origin , it might play a key role in sustaining lunar operations. Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company has that it can produce solar cells and transmission wire using simulated Moon regolith. The firm's Blue Alchemist technique uses molten electrolysis to separate the lunar soil's aluminum, iron and silicon from bound oxygen to extract key materials. The process can build solar cells, cover glass and aluminum wire using only sunlight and the reactor's silicon.
This approach would not only save explorers the trouble of importing material, but would be kinder to both the Moon and Earth. There are no carbon-based emissions, no chemicals and no need for water. The resulting solar cells can operate on the Moon for over a decade despite a "harsh" environment, Blue Origin claims.
As Ars Technica, Blue Origin is pitching this as a solution for NASA's and . The space agency could establish bases or other long-term installations while minimizing the environmental impact. While the concept of isn't new, earlier efforts have largely focused on habitats rather than the power supplying those off-world facilities.
Whether or not Blue Origin's tech reaches NASA is another matter, as the company has a mixed relationship with the US administration. While NASA is backing the and will use New Glenn to , it lost a key lunar lander contract to SpaceX and of the $2.9 billion deal. As novel as Blue Alchemist tech may be, it's not guaranteed to win business.
Console Bang News!
This approach would not only save explorers the trouble of importing material, but would be kinder to both the Moon and Earth. There are no carbon-based emissions, no chemicals and no need for water. The resulting solar cells can operate on the Moon for over a decade despite a "harsh" environment, Blue Origin claims.
As Ars Technica, Blue Origin is pitching this as a solution for NASA's and . The space agency could establish bases or other long-term installations while minimizing the environmental impact. While the concept of isn't new, earlier efforts have largely focused on habitats rather than the power supplying those off-world facilities.
Whether or not Blue Origin's tech reaches NASA is another matter, as the company has a mixed relationship with the US administration. While NASA is backing the and will use New Glenn to , it lost a key lunar lander contract to SpaceX and of the $2.9 billion deal. As novel as Blue Alchemist tech may be, it's not guaranteed to win business.
Console Bang News!