Comments on: February 5, 2021 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast

By: wayne

wayne — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:09:55 +0000

Gary–
I’d be interested in studies on how shotcrete (or similar) behaves off-world.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:55:08 +0000

I was thinking more of the discussions about using lava tubes that exist. Seems to me the issue of sealing up the lava tubes would be a different scenario than drilling passageways in solid ground. You wouldn’t have to drill, but sealing the area off might be more challenging. We have lots of lava tubes on earth. I’m just wondering if anyone has tried to create a living environment in one of those to prove out the concept.

By: wayne

wayne — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:13:31 +0000

Joe–
my genius Plan:
Some sort of concrete-esque admixture made with indigenous materials + polymers, so when it sets, it’s airtight.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 12:06:10 +0000

Don’t bring concrete from Earth. That is a complete waste of resources. Develop concrete from local sources on the moon. That is where we need to develop technology. Boring tech is well, boring at this point.

By: David M. Cook

David M. Cook — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 03:17:47 +0000

@Gary I would think the concept of TBM (Tunnel Boring Machinery) is fairly well advanced today, so you should be able to bring one or two with you. These things leave a concrete-lining, so you need to source the concrete or bring it with you from Earth.

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:29:11 +0000

Bob, sorry if this has been covered in an earlier post, but in all the discussions here and other places about creating underground environments for habitation on the Moon, Mars and other locations, has there been any proof of concept work done on Earth? Or, is assumed the technology is so basic that no proof of concept is needed? Thanks.