Preface

This book is part of a long journey of discovery and exploration. As a propulsion engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and now NASA Glenn Research Center, I have tried to understand the many ways of transporting scientific instruments, cargo, and people around the solar system. The issues of system engineering and the gathering together of the many components of a space vehicle is always a daunting undertaking. Teams of people working in close coordination make these space vehicles a reality and their missions a success. We have explored many corners of the Universe, but our journey seems to be only just beginning. Engineers and scientists have dreamed of humans living and thriving throughout the solar system. This book is a celebration of those dreams.

The book is divided in three sections: Introduction, Planetary Explorations, and Computational Musings. The Introduction consists of a chapter introducing the readers to the book's main subject. The following section, Planetary Explorations, includes Technologies for Deviation of Asteroids and Cleaning of Earth Orbit by Space Debris; Solar System Exploration Augmented by In-Situ Resource Utilization: Processes, Vehicles, and Moon Bases for Saturn Exploration; Space Access for Future Interplanetary Missions; and Impact Models of Gravitational and Electrostatic Forces, Potential Energies, Atomic Clocks, Gravitational Anomalies, and Redshift. Computing Assisted Geometric Search for Human Design and Origins is included in the last section of this book.

The chapters are inspired by the wide range of critical issues facing the space flight and astronomical communities. Asteroids remain a potential in-space resource and a threat to humanity. The Saturn In-Situ Resource Utilization chapter was inspired in part by the writings of Krafft Ehricke, a space visionary who led numerous studies of human exploration of the entire solar system. Gravity waves have been detected on a more regular basis, perhaps leading to a better understanding of the massive forces unleashed by the coalescence of black holes. An inkling of panspermia is suggested in the last paper, where the search for the evidence of simple life forms is discussed.

> **Bryan Palaszewski** NASA John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

**1**

Section 1

Introduction

Section 1 Introduction

**3**

Earth impacts.

**Chapter 1**

*Bryan Palaszewski*

**1. Introduction**

the lunar environment.

to flourish throughout the planets.

Introductory Chapter: Planetology

Over the last 80 years, dreamers, engineers, mission planners, and scientists have sought, defined, and created many methods of exploring the solar system [1]. Robotic missions to nearly every type of solar system object have been conducted. The data from these missions has opened new vistas on the riches of the planets and the asteroids. Water and other materials that can help humans survive in space are near ubiquitous. Human lunar missions have returned hundreds of kilograms of rocky and dusty samples; that regolith has given us hope that humanity will one day

Many space agencies around the world have shared their information and created collaborations for the betterment of all. The agencies of NASA, ESA, and others have begun to discuss and plan a Moon Village; such a village will allow the development of lunar resources and create great wealth for all humanity. India and the United States has created instruments that have verified the presence of lunar polar water ice [2]. China has demonstrated effective communications for lunar farside rover operations. Thus, many nations are creating new lunar data and capabilities. Pooling all of this knowledge will lead to new breakthrough in understanding

Interplanetary dreams are part of humanity's future. Extended exploration missions and the initial colonization of the Moon will lead to a better understanding of the limits of the human body. While our minds can create new brilliant ideas and concepts for supporting life, the human body is frail and must be protected from the ravages of microgravity, radiation, and loneliness. Exposure to microgravity weakens the cardiovascular system and human muscles, so artificial gravity may be required for long-duration space flights [3]. Radiation can destroy the human DNA; protective methods of living underground on the Moon and Mars give hope to solving such issues. Once these impediments are better understood, humanity can begin

Asteroids, while small in comparison to moons, offer many natural resources. Metals, water, and frozen gases may be mined there. The asteroids occupy many spaces throughout the solar system, so they may be caches for resources almost anywhere we travel. While rich in minerals, near-Earth asteroids also pose a threat to life on Earth. Asteroid defense studies and experiments have paved the way to manipulate these rocky and metallic objects, deflecting them from any potential

In the outer planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune can provide gases and other materials from which starship construction can begin. Nuclear fuels, such as deuterium and helium 3, can be wrested from the hydrogen and helium atmospheres of these giant planets [4]. Fission and fusion propulsion systems can be fueled from these atmospheric constituents. Past design studies have discussed robotic interstellar missions that begin with such atmospheric mining. It's important to point out that for a large interstellar mission to Alpha Centauri,

colonize the Moon, Mars, and the moons of other planets.
