Digest Number 61

>
> Robert.Clements: If you have to transfer whole lumps
to another
> location, Lunar orbit is a
> better compromise than Mars orbit... close enough to
> the Earth to allow easy
> transfer; but not so close that it freaks everyone
> out about the would be
> impactors hanging in space.
>
MW: If you transfer asteroids that are 1000 tonnes
plus into the Terra-Luna system, you'll have to put
your trust in private corporations from many different
nations, and also trust those other nations. And the
insurance companies will put their own prices on these
ventures. And any near accident will shoot those
insurance price into the stratosphere.

Being able to move asteroids into the Terra-Luna
system by lightsails would also be an excellent way
for some nations to counter US star wars defense
systems. Moving asteroids 1000 tonnes or larger into
Terra-Luna space should be banned, IMO. Processing
transferred asteroids around the orbits of Mercury,
Venus, and Mars would be far safer.

Marcel F. Williams
1/4/00