On the moon stayed ... titanium! (25.10.2011)
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The moon gave us another surprise: an analysis of the new maps of the surface, drawing from the observations in the visible and ultraviolet ranges, conducted with a probe LRO, were discovered vast deposits of a titanium ore. According to experts, they are much richer in metals than the largest deposits in the world.
Lunar titanium basically part of the mineral ilmenite, which is characterized by the iron content. This can be a great interest in terms of commercial operation. In addition, the titanium-rich minerals have the ability to "catch" the particles of hydrogen and helium make up the solar wind, which is important for the development of any project related to space exploration.
However, the discovery is important not only in terms of development of natural resources of the natural satellite of Earth, but also to study the formation history of the lunar interior.
"Look at the Moon - says one of the researchers, Mark Robinson. - Its surface is covered with different shades of gray, at least to human eyes. But in some areas of the sea a little redder, in others - a little blue others. More subtle, these color nuances associated with the important features of the chemical composition and evolution of the lunar surface. They are signs of the presence of large amounts of titanium and iron, signs of maturity of lunar rocks. "
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In order to obtain information about the presence of titanium in the lunar rocks, a group of scientists headed by Professor Robinson had analyzed more than four thousand photographs taken over the probe LRO months in lunar orbit. Subsequently, the obtained data were compared with analysis of samples of lunar soil brought back to Earth by American mission Apollo vehicles and Soviet probes, a series of "Moon".
See also: Secret Side of the Moon
Conclusions of titanium deposits on the Moon not only confirmed but also puzzled researchers: it turned out that the maximum content of titanium in the lunar rocks is about 100 times higher than similar terrestrial, and can range from one to ten percent. But to assume that the moon was formed mostly of terrestrial material, which had once been thrown into orbit by the shock of collision of Earth with a large space object. And until recently, this version seems to be found its confirmation, in any case, the composition of lunar rocks seemed close to the earth.
"We, in fact, have no idea why titanium is found on the moon is so much greater than in similar rocks on Earth - said Robinson. - This fact shows some features of the geological conditions that existed on the moon shortly after its formation."
By the way, not so long ago, a group of chemists at Cambridge University led by Derek Frey has developed a device that can extract oxygen from lunar soil - regolith. After all, the atmosphere on the moon there, and if ever satellite will be used for mining or other purposes that require the presence of humans, the "colonists" will have something to breathe. Deliver oxygen from the Earth - it is too troublesome and expensive: the delivery of one kilogram of oxygen here will cost 100 thousand dollars.
Derek Frey and his colleagues have proposed a method based on an electrochemical process, designed to obtain the pure metal and alloys from oxides, which are part of the regolith. This alloy is used as a cathode and an anode is carbon. Both electrodes are immersed in a molten electrolyte (calcium chloride), after which the system generates an electric current that separates the oxygen atoms from molecules of the oxide and converts them into solution. True, the output still receive carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide), but Frey and his team decided that in the same way you can get and pure oxygen, if used as the anode is not carbon, but a mixture of calcium titanate and ruthenate (which on the Moon at least a dime a dozen.) Such an electrode having a good talk and little prone to erosion.
See also: iron core will reveal the secrets of the moon
As scientists have counted if it is possible to build three of these electrochemical "reactor", you will be able to get a ton of oxygen per year. This will require three tons of regolith, and the reactor in the process will consume a relatively small amount of energy that can be obtained with solar cells or nuclear mini-reactor (perhaps it also will install on the Moon). The issue rests only in finance: in the words of Derek Frey, to build a test reactor model with a remote control will need 16.5 million dollars.
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