WebSpaceSim

main

• NOT-YET-PLAYABLE pre alpha, just tech experiments so far
• http://ghoulsblade.schattenkind.net/webspacesim/
• realistic simulation of landing and constructions on the moon using remote controlled rovers/robots and chemically processing on-site material

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details

• a little hobby project worked on irregularly
• tech: playable in browser without plugins, using webgl and javascript
• aims for realism, using current technology and prices as far as possible.
  • current data (prices,weight,chemical composition,...) is just preliminary for getting the simulation mechanics running and will need intensive fact-checking and research later
  • optional experiments with theoretical launch & propulsion systems only as long as they are scientifically realistic in the near future
• In-situ resource utilization by chemically processing Lunar Regolith to extract chemicals and process them to manufacture Solar Cells, Propellants, Structures and other things
  • construct more/bigger machines by combining components imported from earth with cruder parts made from in-situ chemicals (using Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing)
• experiments with plant-growing e.g. Hydroponics (light, temperature, and nutrients from chemicals)
• later experiments with other planets, moons, asteroids, satellites,probes,landers and in space construction, and transporting material between multiple sites.
• Maneuvers using Orbital Mechanics like Gravitational Slingshot and Atmospheric Drag to conserve fuel

• 2012-09-29 separated into own project, was originally space-test inside mountainfort experiment

outline

• one "free" launch to moon (incurs dept)
• make solar cells + fuel + electro-magnetic launch systems on moon
• launch fuel to earth orbit : pay back initial dept and then trade for equipment and material to expand further
• access and harvest materials from near-earth-asteroids
• possible goal to make self-sustaining (not reliant on earth-launches) colony for x thousand humans on moon or in orbit

rationale

• no time pressure, remote-controlled robotic rover doesn't need food or air, solar cells last several years, so even inefficient manufacturing machines will fullfil their tasks eventually
• due to vacuum (no air friction) and much lower gravity than earth, an electromagnetic launch systems should be feasible (if in doubt add rocket-assisted)
• welding in vacuum was already successfully demonstrated on the ISS, and a robotic rover with 2+ arms should be able to fixate metal components and move a welder
• smaller rough components can be produced using 3d-printing technology

• aluminium powder as well as hydrogen from the water-ice discovered in recent years can be produced as fuel with oxygen (plentyful since major moon minerals are oxides)
• silicon and aluminium from regolith can be used as basis to create solar cells, at least in combination with further materials/components imported from earth
  • since by now it is already possible to print solar cells using a standard inkjet printer on a paper surface, it should be possible to manufacture them on the moon using aluminium, silicon, and further componets imported from earth
  • unlike on earth, where roof-area is very limited and costly, high energy_per_area is not required.
  • according to wikipedia a falcon 9 heavy can launch above 50 tonnes into earth orbit for 80-125 mio $
  • advances in thin-foil solar cells allow for high energy-per-kilogram efficiencies, so a large amount of solarcells could be brought initially to jumpstart local production.
• vaccum allows using thin aluminium foil without oxidation. this allows large scale mirror-arrays to increase solar cell efficiency
• aluminum and iron for structures can be produced from regolith
• due to high launch cost from earth, bringing fuel and iron/aluminium for structures from moon should be interesting economically, and at least allow trade for components that can only be manufactured on earth
• human inhabitation requires at least heating, oxygen, water, food and waste reprocessing
  • for food production hydrophinically grown plants are interesting, besides oxygen and water, those require mainly carbon and nitrogen? which have to be imported from earth or asteroids.
  • partial reusage from waste-reprocessing should be possible

lunar regolith

estimated average mineral composition on surface

• 42% Si O2 (silicium-oxide) 30.6 MJ / kg
• 14% Al2 O3 (aluminium-oxide) 30.9 MJ / kg
• 16% Fe O (iron-oxide) 4.9 MJ / kg
• 12% Ca O (calcium-oxide) 15.8 MJ / kg
• 8% Mg O (magnesium-oxide) 24.7 MJ / kg
• 8% Ti O2 (titanium-oxide) 19.7 MJ / kg

elements by weight

• 42% oxygen (fuel,...)
• 20% silicium (solar cells)
• 12% iron (structures,conductors)
• 7% aluminium (structures,conductors,solar cells,mirrors,fuel)
• 9% calcium (better conductor than copper by weight, reactive with air, but no problem in vacuum)
• 5% magnesium
• 5% titanium (structures?)