MMM Classics Year 10: MMM #s 91-100 - Moon Society

[Republished in MMM Classics #3]
MMM # 22 FEB ‘89, p 2, “Lunar Ores”, S. Gillett
MMM # 23 MAR ‘89, pp 4-5 “Gas Scavenging”
MMM # 29 OCT ‘89, p 7 “Possible Lunar Ores”, S. Gillett
[Republished in MMM Classics #4]
MMM # 32 FEB ‘90, pp 3-4 “Import-Export Equation”
MMM # 38 SEP ‘90, p 4 “Introductory Concepts of
Regolith Primage”
[Republished in MMM Classics #7]
MMM # 63 MAR ‘93, pp 4-10 “Beneficiation of Poor
Lunar Ores”; “Sintered Iron from Powder”; “Alloys
& Lunar Appropriate Metallurgy”; “Glax”;
“Ceramics”; “Color the Moon”
MMM # 65 MAY ‘93, pp 4-8 “ Silicone Alchemy”;
“Sulfur-based construction stuffs”;
“Moonwood: sulfur-based composites”;
“MUS/cle Substitutions”; “Stowaway Imports”
It is most vitally important that all those interested in
bringing the Moon into an expanded human economy, with
genuine settlement of its “magnificent desolation” in the
process, understand the exact nature of the challenge facing
those who would put lunar assets to good use profitable enough
to make their fledgling pioneer frontier community
economically self-sufficient. — It is so important, that we risk
ridicule in suggesting the above mnemonic “names” of the
Moon’s alternate chemical personalities - the cup-half-full and
the cup-half-empty, respectively.
‘Osial Femacati’ versus ‘Cupbar Znaunch’
Just as millions of astronomy students have successfully
learned the proper sequence of stellar spectral types from
hottest to coolest, via the insipid ditty “Oh Be A Fine Girl,
Kiss Me”, so perhaps millions of space development advocates
will gain a better handle on the pluses and minuses of
lunar assets through these equally insipid and weird “names”.
So if you can resist your sense of self propriety and
attempt to learn these two ditty names, you won’t be sorry! If
you can keep the lunar-have and have-not element lists straight
without such mnemonic aids, fine. Quite frankly, only those
who know “the score” will be prepared to help find solutions.
Together the two lists point to the need for a
compound strategy of making do, finding workable
substitutes, stowaway imports, and outsource
development.
The lists are both incomplete, of course. The Moon
has other elements in lesser but still sufficient quantities to be
economically producible (e.g. Manganese, Chromium, Cobalt,
Sulfur, Vanadium, Phosphorus, Potassium etc.) Likewise, there
are other elements in which its share is less than we would like
(e.g. Boron). But those above are arguably the most important
and most illustrative. Together the two lists point to the need
for a two-pronged mutually complementary strategy of making
do with workable substitutions, stowaway import policies, and
of out-sourcing alternatives.
The suite of available metal alloys will be affected, as
metallurgists find themselves constrained to use alloying
ingredients that are available on the Moon, not necessarily
those they are used to using. Aluminum, for example, is in
abundant supply. But on Earth it is customarily alloyed with
varying amounts of copper, an insignificant trace element on
the Moon. Glassmakers, used to an abundant supply of Boron
will have to find other formulae that work. Glazers will not be
able to count on lead as a flux and brightener.
For most pioneers, the real differences in how they
live will spring from the scarcity of hydrogen, carbon and
nitrogen. What is available will preferentially have to be
reserved for the biosphere and food production cycles. That
means no paper, no plastic, no wood consumer products. We’ll
have to make do with glass and glass composites, ceramics,
and metals. On the plus side, that will make for a safer, less
fire-prone environment. In hermetically sealed lunar habitats,
fire cannot be tolerated, cannot be allowed to happen.
An exception may need to be made for next-to-skin
fabrics. Cotton or paper would seem to be the most sensible
options. They would have to be organically grown and
processed so that upon discard, they can be recycled easily
back into the biosphere. Fortunately there is much ongoing
research in this direction. Naturally colored cottons are now on
the market under the Foxfiber name.
These strictures will govern the available options for
home interior decoration and furnishing. Resourcefulness of
artist and craftsman and designer alike should have no trouble
rising to the occasion. Fiberglass fabrics can provide color and
acoustic benefits. But since they resist abrasion poorly, i.e. do
not wear well, they will be confined to walls not floors, to the
outfacing sides of sofas, not the seating area, etc.
Sandals will use less organic or synthetic material
than conventional shoes. Metals, glass, and ceramics will be
adornment staples. Chain mail, a medieval art form still kept
alive today by clubs fascinated by period clothing, could make
a comeback on the Moon. It would be our recommendation that
a lunar settlement library be extraordinarily well stocked in
books about ethnic and primitive arts. In many ways the lunar
artist and craftsman will have to start over and such sources
could provide much inspiration and many resourceful
suggestions.
Given the small market of lunar settlers, the extraordinary
mass produced variety which we are accustomed to
finding in our terrestrial malls and specialty shops will not be
available. The role of the amateur Lunan artist and craftsman in
customizing plain unadorned stock “issue” items from
tableware to clothing to home furnishings will be critical. The
Lunar settlement will give rise to an unprecedented renaissance
of arts of all kinds. As a result the Lunan artist and craftsman
may enjoy a prestige and place of honor in Lunan society that
their counterparts have seldom if ever experienced on Earth.
For gems and jewelry, synthetic carborundum (an
aluminum oxide) gems like ruby, sapphire, and emerald will be
available, but not diamond which is carbon, nor pearl.
Aluminum and stainless steel will replace gold, silver,
platinum, copper, brass, and bronze. Small amounts of richgrained
hardwood may be as prestigious in a wedding ring as
diamond is to us.
Musical instruments which use brass will need to be
redesigned or forgotten. Sound boxes for string instruments
will have to be metal, glass, or ceramic. Lunan music should
Moon Miners’ Manifesto Classics - Year 10 - Republished January 2006 - Page 47