Production

Abstract

The manufacturing tasks and life support systems that would pertain to a space habitat located at the Lagrange equilibrium point L5 are examined. Aluminum and titanium could be obtained from the moon minerals anorthosite and ilmenite, respectively. Although hydrogen required for purifying the metals would probably have to be imported from earth, the L5 project should have abundant energy for the processing. Methods of utilizing various glasses and ceramics common in the moon are being investigated. Manufacturing processes, such as capillary brazing, ceramic melting, laser welding, and other techniques, are considered with respect to their suitability at zero gravity and in a vacuum. With regard to life support, high-intensity agriculture is discussed, with attention to the use of a mirror system to provide continuous illumination.