BDB's

>>>The BDB that I had in mind would have a lift capacity closer to 1000
tonnes to LEO. Something like this, would be capable of putting 200 tonnes
of men and materials on the lunar surface or alternatively, 500 tonnes in
HEO or 450 tonnes on a NEA.>>>

Half a dozen of these things would be capable of building up a
large lunar base of perhaps one hundred people. After a few years, the
colonists should have mastered In-Situ-Resource-Utilisation to the point
where they can use local materials to extend the base, build tools, solar
panels, mass drivers, green houses, liquid oxygen, etc. at this point,
BDB's can be adapted as people carriers. Each one, would be capable of
transporting 200-300 people to the lunar surface. A base like this would be
capable of exporting many millions of tonnes of lunar material each year,
within 10 years. This export rate is far higher than we could ever hope to
achieve from NEA's within the first 10 years. The Base could evolve in a
similar manner to Kim Stanley Robinsons hypothetical Mars base, in his
novel 'Red Mars'. The Only significant differences would be:

1) The base would pay its own way.
2) The astronauts are within easy reach of Earth and HEO.
3) The base would have easy access to the products of HEO industry (and
visa-versa)
4) Material goods launched from Earth do not have to endure 12 months of
space travel and a fiery entry into Mars' atmosphere.
5) You can afford to import much larger numbers of people and goods.

Tony

Sign up for FREE and learn how to use your computer to create multiple
income streams, from the comfort of your own home.