Publisher's Synopsis
This collection of 129 papers presented at the Seventh International Conference and Exposition on Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Business in Space held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, February 27-March 2, 2000, presents a comprehensive look at the new concepts and cutting-edge projects that are being investigated to support space exploration and serve all of humankind. With contributions from professionals in government, laboratories, universities, and private industries, the authors of these papers write with the premise that humankind will inevitably explore the solar system and eventually develop permanent settlements on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The topics include: developing a vision of our future in space; learning to live and work in space; envisioning a society in space; looking at Earth from space for precision agriculture; creating opportunities with in situ resources and their application; space business; extraterrestrial construction; educating people for space initiatives and working together in space; developing structures, structural dynamics, materials and controls; planning for space exploration in various countries; broadening the use of space and public access to space; and MEMS/MOEMS and future micro nano-satellites. Other topics explored are: space law and governance; science and engineering in space missions; determining properties of the surfaces of the moon, Mars, asteroids, and comets; lunar exploration and development; space solar power; asteroids and their potential; planning Mars missions; innovative approaches in power generation; and severe weather mitigation using projected space assets.
