John A Chapman mining and space csca 20120328

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TALKER – JOHN A. CHAPMAN, B.SC., P.ENG., FCIM 1:30 VANCOUVER TIME DIAL INTO 416.769.7697 (CHUCK BLACK & ARNY SOKOLOFF) CANADIAN SPACE COMMERCE ASSOCIATION, MARCH 28, 2012 SLIDE ONE: MINING IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF HUMANITY ON EARTH AND IN SPACE. EVERYTHING WE USE IS DERIVED FROM MINING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH PROCESSING, MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION. WITHOUT MINING HUMANS WOULD BE BACK TO THE STONE AGE! SLIDE TWO: ASTRONAUTS JOHN YOUNG AND RICH CLIFFORD “PUSHED” ME TO JOIN IN THE SPACE INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO MINING ON THE MOON AND MARS BECAUSE OF MY EXTENSIVE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE ON EARTH. HUMANS CANNOT SURVIVE AS A SINGLE PLANET SPECIES BECAUSE OF NATURAL DANGERS OF SUPER VOLCANOS AND NEO IMPACTORS. NEOs THAT ARE POTENTIAL IMPACTORS ARE THE ONE MAJOR NATURAL DANGER WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT BY DETECTING, TRACKING AND DEFLECTING. THE DINOSAURS HAD NO SPACE PROGRAM THEY DID NOT SURVIVE. SLIDE THREE: THE MOON IS AN IDEAL LOCATION TO ESTABLISH A BASE FOR FUELING (IN ORBIT) LARGE SPACE CRAFTS THAT WILL DEFLECT NEOs THAT ARE POTENTIAL EARTH OR MOON IMPACTORS. MOVING ROCKET PROPELLANT FROM THE LUNAR SURFACE TO ORBITING SPACE CRAFTS TAKES ~1/24 THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT IT DOES FROM EARTH TO EARTH ORBIT. THE LUNAR BASE WOULD BE ABLE TO SERVICE SATELLITES ORBITING EARTH AT VERY HIGH ALTITUDES IN GEOSYNCHRONOUS AND GEOSTATIONARY ORBITS, AND ACT AS A BRIDGEHEAD TO MARS. SLIDE FOUR: DEVELOPMENT OF A LUNAR BASE WILL REQUIRE A MASSIVE LIFT OF EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND HUMANS FROM EARTH TO THE LUNAR SURFACE. MASS PRODUCTION OF ROCKETS AND PROPELLANTS WILL FACILITATE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SPACE TRANSPORT LIKE THE EXISTING SHIPPING/PORT AND AIRLINE/AIRPORT INDUSTRIES. SLIDE FIVE: THE WORLD RECORD BULOLO AIRLIFT IN 1931 DEMONSTRATES SOME OF THE VISION AND COURAGE – PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL THAT IS REQUIRED NOW TO ESTABLISH A LUNAR BASE.

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importance of space development to humanity

Transcript of John A Chapman mining and space csca 20120328

TALKER – JOHN A. CHAPMAN, B.SC., P.ENG., FCIM 1:30 VANCOUVER TIME DIAL INTO 416.769.7697 (CHUCK BLACK & ARNY SOKOLOFF)

CANADIAN SPACE COMMERCE ASSOCIATION, MARCH 28, 2012

SLIDE ONE:

� MINING IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF HUMANITY ON EARTH AND IN SPACE.

� EVERYTHING WE USE IS DERIVED FROM MINING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH PROCESSING, MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION.

� WITHOUT MINING HUMANS WOULD BE BACK TO THE STONE AGE!

SLIDE TWO:

� ASTRONAUTS JOHN YOUNG AND RICH CLIFFORD “PUSHED” ME TO JOIN IN THE SPACE INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO MINING ON THE MOON AND MARS BECAUSE OF MY EXTENSIVE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE ON EARTH.

� HUMANS CANNOT SURVIVE AS A SINGLE PLANET SPECIES BECAUSE OF NATURAL DANGERS OF SUPER VOLCANOS AND NEO IMPACTORS.

� NEOs THAT ARE POTENTIAL IMPACTORS ARE THE ONE MAJOR NATURAL DANGER WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT BY DETECTING, TRACKING AND DEFLECTING.

� THE DINOSAURS HAD NO SPACE PROGRAM THEY DID NOT SURVIVE.

SLIDE THREE:

� THE MOON IS AN IDEAL LOCATION TO ESTABLISH A BASE FOR FUELING (IN ORBIT) LARGE SPACE CRAFTS THAT WILL DEFLECT NEOs THAT ARE POTENTIAL EARTH OR MOON IMPACTORS.

� MOVING ROCKET PROPELLANT FROM THE LUNAR SURFACE TO ORBITING SPACE CRAFTS TAKES ~1/24 THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT IT DOES FROM EARTH TO EARTH ORBIT.

� THE LUNAR BASE WOULD BE ABLE TO SERVICE SATELLITES ORBITING EARTH AT VERY HIGH ALTITUDES IN GEOSYNCHRONOUS AND GEOSTATIONARY ORBITS, AND ACT AS A BRIDGEHEAD TO MARS.

SLIDE FOUR:

� DEVELOPMENT OF A LUNAR BASE WILL REQUIRE A MASSIVE LIFT OF EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND HUMANS FROM EARTH TO THE LUNAR SURFACE.

� MASS PRODUCTION OF ROCKETS AND PROPELLANTS WILL FACILITATE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SPACE TRANSPORT LIKE THE EXISTING SHIPPING/PORT AND AIRLINE/AIRPORT INDUSTRIES.

SLIDE FIVE:

� THE WORLD RECORD BULOLO AIRLIFT IN 1931 DEMONSTRATES SOME OF THE VISION AND COURAGE – PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL THAT IS REQUIRED NOW TO ESTABLISH A LUNAR BASE.

• THE�IMPORTANCE�OF�MINERALS�(INCLUDING�HYDROCARBONS)�AND�METALS�IS�AMPLY�DEMONSTRATED�WHEN�WE�LOOK�AROUND�US�– AT�THE�PRODUCTS�WE�USE�AND�DEPEND�UPON�IN�OUR�EVERYDAY�LIVES.�

• IMPORTANT�MINERALS�AND�METALS�USES�INCLUDE�NOT�ONLY�THOSE�SHOWN�ON�THE�GRAPHICS�BUT�ALSO�PAPER�PRODUCTS�AND�PLASTICS�THAT�MOST�OFTEN�CONTAIN�A�LARGE�PERCENTAGE�OF�FUNCTIONAL�AND�NONFUNCTIONAL�FILLERS�(TALC,�CLAYS,�MICAS,�ETC.).��IN�ADDITION,�ALL�OF�THE�FOOD�WE�CONSUME�IS�PLANTED,�HARVESTED,�TRANSPORTED,�PROCESSED,�AND�MARKETED�(FROM�STORES)�THAT�DEPEND�UPON�A�VAST�ARRAY�OF�MINED�MATERIALS�(FARM�MACHINERY,�PAVED�ROADS,�FORKLIFTS,�TRUCKS,�PROCESSING�PLANT�EQUIPMENT,�BUILDING�MATERIALS,�ETC).�

• BELIEVE�IT�OR�NOT,�THERE�ARE�QUITE�A�FEW�PEOPLE�THAT�BELIEVE�MINING�IS�NOT�IMPORTANT.�THEY�TYPICALLY�SAY�THIS�AND�THEN�TURN�AROUND�AND�CHECK�THEIR�EMAIL�ON�A�COMPUTER,�THAT�USES�SILICON�CHIPS,�WITH�METAL�HEAT�SINKS,�AND�COPPER�OR�GOLD�INTERCONNECTIONS,�AND�RUNS�ON�POWER,�OF�WHICH�40%�OF�COMES�FROM�COAL.��THERE�IS�AN�OLD�SAYING�"IF�IT'S�NOT�GROWN,�IT'S�MINED."�VIRTUALLY�EVERYTHING�WE�USE�IN�OUR�EVERYDAY�LIVES�REQUIRES�MINING.�EVEN�MOST�OF�THE�FOOD�WE�EAT�WAS�GROWN�WITH�FERTILIZERS�WHICH�ARE�MADE�UP�OF�MINERALS�THAT�ARE�MINED.�SO�IT�IS�ODD�TO�THINK�THAT�JUST�BECAUSE�THE�PICTURES�MOST�OF�US�SEE�IN�OUR�HEADS�WHEN�WE�FIRST�THINK�OF�MINING�ARE�THOSE�OLD,�BLACK�AND�WHITE�PHOTOS�OF�MINING�100�YEARS�AGO�� TODAY,�MINING�IS�ONE�OF�THE�MOST�HIGH�TECH�INDUSTRIES�IN�THE�WORLD�USING�GPS,�REMOTE�CONTROL�SYSTEMS,�AUTONOMOUS�SYSTEMS,�COMPUTERS,�SOPHISTICATED�AND�PRODUCTIVE�MOBILE�MINING�MACHINES�AND�INTEGRATED�HIGH�TECHNOLOGY�PROCESSING�PLANTS.

• FERTILIZERS�TYPICALLY�PROVIDE,�IN�VARYING�PROPORTIONS:�THE�THREE�PRIMARY�MACRONUTRIENTS:�NITROGEN�(N),�PHOSPHORUS�(P),�AND�POTASSIUM�(K).��THE�THREE�SECONDARY�MACRONUTRIENTS:�CALCIUM�(CA),�SULFUR�(S),�MAGNESIUM�(MG)�AND�THE�MICRONUTRIENTS�OR�TRACE�MINERALS:�BORON�(B),�CHLORINE�(CL),�MANGANESE�(MN),�IRON�(FE),�ZINC�(ZN),�COPPER�(CU),�MOLYBDENUM�(MO)�AND�SELENIUM�(SE).

• IF�MINING�WAS�ELIMINATED�WE�HUMANS�WOULD�BE�RIGHT�BACK�TO�THE�STONE�AGE.

• THE�ONE�NATURAL�DANGER�THAT�WE�CAN�DO�SOMETHING�ABOUT�TO�PROTECT�AND�SAVE�HUMANITY�IS�THE�NEAR�EARTH�OBJECT�(NEO)�POTENTIAL�IMPACTORS�THAT�WE�CAN�DETECT,�TRACK�AND�DEFLECT.��THE�DINOSAURS�HAD�NO�SPACE�PROGRAM�AND�DID�NOT�SURVIVE.

TECHNICAL�CHALLENGES�AND�OPPORTUNITIES April�23�12

JOHN�A.�CHAPMAN 3

April�23�12

JOHN�A.�CHAPMAN 3

• MOST�IMPORTANT�RESOURCES�REQUIRED�FOR�LUNAR�DEVELOPMENT�ARE�WATER�AND�HYDROCARBONS�FOLLOWED�BY�ALL�THE�OTHER�ELEMENTS�AND�COMPOUNDS�USED�ON�EARTH�(METALS,�SILICATES,�ETC.).

• REMEMBER�THAT�WE�HUMANS,�NO�MATTER�WHERE�WE�ARE�LOCATED,�DIE�WITHIN�MINUTES�IF�THERE�IS�NO�OXYGEN,�WITHIN�DAYS�IF�THERE�IS�NO�WATER�AND�WITHIN�WEEKS�IF�THERE�IS�NO�FOOD�(CARBOHYDRATES)�– ALL�OTHER�RESOURCES�PALE�IN�COMPARISON�TO�THESE�ESSENTIAL�RESOURCES.

• IMPORTANCE�OF�HYDROGEN�AND�OXYGEN:�LIFE�SUPPORT�(“AIR”�AND�WATER),�ROCKET�PROPELLANTS,�FUEL�FOR�FUEL�CELLS,�WATER�FOR�AGRICULTURE�AND�FOR�AQUACULTURE.�

• IMPORTANCE�OF�HYDROCARBONS:�FUEL�FOR�ENGINES�AND�HEAT,�AND�CARBON�DIOXIDE�FOR�PHOTOSYNTHESIS�(CARBOHYDRATES).

TECHNICAL�CHALLENGES�AND�OPPORTUNITIES April�23�12

JOHN�A.�CHAPMAN 4

April�23�12

JOHN�A.�CHAPMAN 4

• TO�BE�SUCCESSFUL�THE�ROCKETS�MUST�BE�MASS�PRODUCED�(ECONOMY�OF�SCALE)�WITH�MULTLIPLE�DAILY�LAUNCHES.• ASTROBOTIC�TECHNOLOGY,�INC.�AND�MOON�EXPRESS,�INC.,�LEADERS�IN�THE�26�GROUP�COMPETITION�TO�WIN�THE�GOOGLE�LUNAR�X�PRIZE,�WILL

BECOME�SPACE�EXPEDITORS�SIMILAR�TO�UPS�AND�FEDEX�ON�EARTH.• IT�IS�MY�OPINION�THAT�THERE�IS�ONE�OVERARCHING�REASON�FOR�DEVELOPMENT�OF�SPACE�– THAT�IS�TO�ENSURE�THE�SURVIVAL�OF�THE�HUMAN�

SPECIES.�HENCE,�ONLY�EARLY�PRECURSOR�MISSIONS�SHOULD�BE�ROBOTIC. THEREAFTER�IT�MUST�BE�HUMAN�WITH�SOME�SUPPORT�FROM�ROBOTICS�(REMOTE�CONTROL�AND�AUTONOMOUS).� I�ALSO,�FROM�EXPERIENCE�BUILDING�REMOTE�MINE�OPERATIONS�ON�EARTH,�KNOW�THAT�THE�FIRST�HUMAN�LANDING�ON�THE�LUNAR�SURFACE�TO�DEVELOP�A�PERMANENT�HABITAT�WILL�REQUIRE�LANDING�~2,000�METRIC�TONS�OF�EQUIPMENT,�MATERIALS�AND�SUPPLIES�TO�ENSURE�A�HIGH�DEGREE�OF�SUCCESS.� THIS�IS�A�MASSIVE�PROGRAM�THAT�WILL�NEED�MULTI�GOVERNMENT�AND�INDUSTRY�SUPPORT�TO�WORK�PROPERLY.� IN�MY�OPINION,�SCIENCE�PALLS�IN�COMPARISON�TO�LONG�TERM�HUMAN�SURVIVAL�WHEN�FUNDING�SPACE�EXPLORATION�AND�DEVELOPMENT�PROGRAMS.��THE�MOON�WOULD�BE�THE�LOW�GRAVITY�BASE�FOR�FUELING�NUCLEAR�SPACE�TUGS�IN�LUNAR�ORBIT�USING�PROPELLANTS�SUCH�AS�HYDROGEN�(HIGH�EXHAUST�VELOCITY�LOW�THRUST),�OXYGEN�(AUGMENTATION�TO�INCREASE�THRUST)�OR�WATER�(LOWER�EXHAUST�VELOCITY�BUT�HIGHER�THRUST).��THESE�SPACE�TUGS�WOULD�BE�USED�FOR�DANGEROUS�NEO�DEFLECTION�AND�FOR�MOVING�BETWEEN�ORBITS�AT�EARTH, MOON�AND�MARS.��THE�NUCLEAR�FISSION�REACTORS�IN�THE�SPACE�TUGS�WOULD�“BURN”�HIGHLY�ENRICHED�URANIUM�(SIMILAR�TO�REACTORS�IN�USA�SUBMARINES)�SO�THAT�THE�REFUELING�INTERVAL�WOULD�BE�GREATER�THAN�TEN�YEARS�(MAY�BE�ABLE�TO�INCLUDE�A�THORIUM�“BLANKET”�IN�REACTOR�FOR�ADDITIONAL�ENERGY).��A�NUCLEAR�POWER�PLANT�SHOULD�BE�BUILT�NEAR�THE�EARTH�LAUNCH�SITE�TO�PRODUCE�HYDROGEN�AND�OXYGEN�TO�MINIMIZE�FUEL�TRANSPORT�TO�THE�LAUNCH�SITE.��IT�WOULD�BE�A�CO�GENERATION�FACILITY�WITH�HYDROGEN�BEING�REFORMED�FROM�NATURAL�GAS�(AND�CARBON�MONOXIDE�BURNED�FOR�ELECTRIC�POWER�AND�HEAT)�WITH�OXYGEN�BEING�PRODUCED�BY�FRACTIONAL�DISTILLATION�OF�LIQUEFIED�AIR.��AN�ALTERNATIVE,�BUT�MORE�EXPENSIVE,�METHOD�OF�PRODUCING�HYDROGEN�AND�OXYGEN�IS�DIRECT�ELECTROLYSIS�OF�WATER.

• PLAN�INITIALLY�FOR�LAUNCHING�AT�LEAST�ONE�ROCKET�PER�DAY�SO�THAT�THE�FIRST�2,000�TONS�OF�EQUIPMENT,�SUPPLIES�AND�WORKFORCE�ISON�THE�MOON�IN�60�DAYS.��COST�~15�TO�20�BILLION�US�DOLLARS.

• I�STRONGLY�RECOMMEND�THAT�YOU�VISIT�SOME�EARTHLY�MINING/PROCESSING�OPERATIONS�(MINING,�MINERAL�PROCESSING,�SMELTING�AND�REFINING).� YOU�WILL�FIND�THAT�MINING�AND�PROCESSING�HETEROGENEOUS�MATERIALS�IS�COMPLEX�AND�THE�SYSTEMS�ARE�PHYSICALLY�AND�CHEMICALLY�CHALLENGING.� TRYING�TO�RECOVER�MINERALS�AND�ELEMENTS FROM�HETEROGENEOUS�SOURCES�ON�ASTEROIDS�OR�COMETS�ON�A�SUSTAINED�BASIS�WILL�BE�VERY�DIFFICULT�INDEED�COMPARED�TO�OPERATING�AT�A�LUNAR�BASE.�THE�ASTEROIDS�AND�COMETS�IN�NEAR�EARTH�ORBIT�OFFER�A�LOW�GRAVITY�WELL�OPPORTUNITY�(REWARD)�AND�A�BIG�MATERIALS�CHALLENGE�(RISK).� THEY�ARE�EITHER�CARBONACEOUS�WITH�WATER�ICE,�OR�SILICATES�(STONY),�OR�METALLIC�(NOTE�THE�“OR”�AND�NO�“AND”).� IN�OTHER�WORDS�YOU�CANNOT�LAND�ON�ANY�ONE�AND�EXPECT�TO�GET�WATER�ICE,�SILICATES�AND�METALS�– THIS�PRESENTS�AN ALMOST�IMPOSSIBLE�CHALLENGE�IN�CREATING�AN�OPERATING�BASE�THAT�IS�SUSTAINABLE.� I�WAS�THE�ONE�THAT�STOOD�UP�AND�RECOMMENDED�JOHN�LEWIS’S�“MINING�THE�SKY”�BOOK�AT�THE�SPACE�FRONTIER�2009�CONFERENCE.� HOWEVER,�WHAT�I�DID�NOT�SAY�IS�THAT�I�DISAGREE�WITH JOHN�AS�TO�THE�IMPORTANCE�OF�ASTEROID�OR�COMET�MATERIALS�ON�EARTH,�AS�THEY�HAVE�IN�MY�OPINION�NO�VALUE�TO�EARTH.� WE�HAVE�A�NEVER�ENDING�SUPPLY�OF�ELEMENTS�ON�EARTH,�INCLUDING�THOSE�IN�HYDROCARBONS�(C�AND�H)�THAT�CAN�BE�EXTRACTED�MUCH�SAFER�AND�CHEAPER�IN�SITU�ON�EARTH�THAN�EXPLOITING�THEM�ON�ASTEROIDS�OR�COMETS.� IN�OTHER�WORDS,�ELEMENTS�ON�ASTEROIDS�AND�COMETS,�AND�THE�MOON�AND�MARS�WILL�HAVE�USE�IN�SPACE�BUT�NOT�ON�EARTH.

TECHNICAL�CHALLENGES�AND�OPPORTUNITIES April�23�12

JOHN�A.�CHAPMAN 5

April�23�12

JOHN�A.�CHAPMAN 5

• THE�BULOLO�GOLDFIELDS�WERE�TOTALLY�DEVELOPED�AND�OPERATIONS�SUSTAINED�BY�AIRLIFT�OF�MACHINERY,�MOBILE�EQUIPMENT,�SUPPLIES�FOR�DAMS,�POWERLINES,�DREDGES,�SAWMILL,�AND�TOWNSITE�(HOSPITAL�AND�SCHOOL).

• THE�G�31�HAD�525�X�3�HORSEPOWER�RADIAL�ENGINES�AND�COULD�CLIMB�AT�200�FEET�PER�MINUTE�FULLY�LOADED�ON�TWO�ENGINES�(AT�AVERAGE�3,000�FT�ASL),�75�MINUTE�FLYING�TIME�LEA��(AT�SEA�LEVEL)�TO�BULOLO�(2,250�FEET)�WITH�INTERVENING�MOUNTAINS�AT�6,000�FEET�ELEVATION.�

• THE�MANAGEMENT�OF�PLACER�DEVELOPMENT�LTD�RECEIVED�AWARDS�FROM�THE�MINING�INDUSTRY�AND�THE�AVIATION�INDUSTRY�FOR�THIS�SUCCESSFUL�MASSIVE�BULOLO�AIRLIFT.

• MENTION�MASS�PRODUCTION�OF�LIBERTY�SHIPS�(42�DAYS�PER�LIBERTY�SHIP,�WITH�A�TOTAL�~2,700�BUILT�DURING�WWII),�THE�ALASKA�HIGHWAY/NORMAN�WELLS�OIL�OPERATIONS,�THE�DEW�LINE,�BERLIN�AIRLIFT�AND�WWII�AS�THESE�WERE�ALL�MASSIVE�UNDERTAKINGS�THAT�WERE�SUCCESSFULLY�ACCOMPLISHED�IN�RECORD�TIME.

• IN�2011�THE�BROAD�GROUP�IN�HUNAN�PROVINCE,�CHINA�BUILT�A�30�STOREY�LUXURY�HOTEL�IN�15�DAYS.��IT�IS�BUILT�TO�WITHSTAND�MAGNITUDE�9�RICHTER�SCALE�EARTHQUAKES�AND�IS�~4�TIMES�MORE�ENERGY�EFFICIENT�THAN�CONVENTIONAL�HIGH�RISE�BUILDINGS.��ALL�COMPONENTS�ARE�MANUFACTURED�IN�A�LARGE�FACTORY�AND�DELIVERED�TO�THE�BUILDING�SITE�FOR�ASSEMBLY.��THERE�WERE�NO�INJURIES�DURING�THE�WORK.��SEE:�http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdpf�MQM9vY.�

TECHNICAL�CHALLENGES�AND�OPPORTUNITIES FEBRUARY�8,�2012

JOHN�A.�CHAPMAN 6