Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

One Small Breath For Man

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the wringing-oxygen-from-the-stone dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The New York Times reports on a new technique that may allow Oxygen to be wrung from the soil on the moon. This may pave the way for a moonbase, and allow permanent habitation on Earth's only natural satellite." From the article: "Lunar soil brought back to Earth is in short supply and highly prized, so Nasa researchers have been using matter with the same composition for its tests. The soil contains about 45 per cent oxygen by weight, but it is mostly 'trapped' in the form of silicon dioxide ... At the moment, all oxygen supplies would have to be brought from Earth, which is so expensive and energy-inefficient that it effectively rules out a permanent Moon base. "

3 of 280 comments (clear)

  1. Looky here city girl... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Oxygen don't grow on trees.

  2. Silicon Dioxide by Inda · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fact: Silicon dioxide is also known as silica.

    Fact: Inhaling crystalline silica dust can lead to silicosis or cancer.

    I thought they were amusing facts. +1 Important please Mods. :)

    --
    This post contains benzene, nitrosamines, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.
  3. Re:Can this article be even more pretentios? by ComaVN · · Score: 5, Funny

    People, people, you got it all wrong.

    The reaction is: Earth+Fire=Air.

    Don't they teach proper alchemy anymore?

    --
    Be wary of any facts that confirm your opinion.