Posted by Phil on Feb 06, 2005; 3:59pm
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Air-supply-tp1505209p1505239.html



--- In [hidden email], "Samantha Peterson" <lestat117@i...>
wrote:
> Underground moonbases, efficient air supply circulation systems.
Thanks guys for all the ideas! It really does help in fan fiction
writing ;-) <

One method of obtaining oxygen that hasn't been mentioned yet (I
think) and that was much in vogue in SF and for people planning real
Moonbases at about the time that the series was made was to get it
out of moonrock. There can be a lot of oxygen in rock -- metal
oxides, etc. -- and so the idea was to find the right kind of rock
and extract the oxygen from it; also, possibly, to extract water from
moonrock and then use electrolysis to break it into hydrogen (fuel!)
and oxygen. Then use the aforementioned efficient recirculation
systems, plant respiration, etc., to keep the air in the base
breathable. But there will be losses, and so a regular supply will be
needed, and where better to find it than in the Moon itself?

FWIW, this idea has also been postulated as an important part of any
manned Mars expedition; it's _so_ much easier to get there if you
don't have to lug everything needed for the return trip with you!

Phil