Power Generation and Distribution Blog

What about a pipe line that is connected with exact to north or south pole?

kING CONSULTANT

I think a 380 thousand Km pipeline in space is asking a bit much! I would rather go for a "space train" that orbits Earth very elliptically and in the process swings around the Moon. Containers full of He-3 can somehow be 'scooped' up by the space train. Near Earth they can be ejected so that they re-enter the atmosphere like a returning Apollo spacecraft did.

I think pipe line is one time afaire and just need a pumping station at pole.

where as orbital trains is not going to transit sufficient qty. if they in few in numbers.

so we need then in 1000s, thats costly afair.

Another option is make a pipe line form here to there pump air to moon put a manyold station. shift the 6 bln ppl there. connect manyfold with everyones nose and and use the he-3 with ease.

Quote: "... where as orbital trains is not going to transit sufficient qty."

Remember that we are talking nuclear power here, so the mass of He-3, separated from the dirt on the Moon, needed to generate power for the Earth's needs is not that great. This works in favor of the cheaper, capital-wise, orbital train concept.

BTW, have you though about how to attach the pipeline to our Moon, that orbits Earth every 29 days in a slightly elliptical orbit?

I guess if we attached both eneds on the poles of here and pole of there.

it should work.

Guest wrote: "I guess if we attached both ends on the poles of here and pole of there."

How do you foresee coping with the change in the length in your "pipe line"? There is a difference of more than 30 thousand Km between the radius of the perigee and apogee of the Moon's orbit.

If you can live with that, have you calculated the cost of a 390 thousand Km long pipeline?

Jorrie

you reply so quikly.

how many stenos are sitting there in your office.

How difficult is it to separate He-3 from the moons dirt? And if so couldn't the "orbital train" use some of that for fuel transporting between earth and the moon. But then what about the high temperatures of the craft as it enters the earths atmosphere? Seems kinda risky, but i dont know how stable He-3 is.

Thanks, I know its an old discussion.

Hi InAllReflections,

I have nor idea how to separate He-3 from the dirt, but the original idea is that it should be separated on the moon. My penny's worth is that one should launch cannisters full of He-3 from the moon (suborbital to save fuel) and then 'snare' them with the much heavier 'orbital moon-train'. I don't think one would be able to use He-3 as a rocket fuel though!

Lastly, remember it is only the cannisters that re-enters into Earth's atmosphere. It's very easy to keep temperatures under control with evaporating heat shields or insulating tiles.

Regards, Jorrie

Does this mean that anyone who bought land on the moon can cash out?

http://www.moonestates.com/

Well, I was going to sell you this bridge over here, but if you'd rather I sell you a chunk of the Moon, who am I to say no....