sketerpot comments on Politicians stymie human colonization of space to save make-work jobs - Less Wrong

11 [deleted] 18 July 2010 12:57PM

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Comment author: sketerpot 19 July 2010 08:13:00PM 4 points [-]

I'm going to tech-nerd out and elaborate on some of the things you said. This is a joyous thing, so thanks for the opportunity. ;-)

like the terrapower nuclear reactor

You can get much the same effect with any breeder reactor; indeed, if you're sending it to the moon or mars, a LFTR would probably be a better investment. But either one works.

or containment domes that naturally last a long time

These are a very reasonable thing to expect. For building on the moon or mars with native materials, the easiest thing to do is form it into bricks and build masonry structures. Arches and domes are not only easy structures to make from bricks, but they are extraordinarily stable structures, capable of remaining in place even after taking considerable damage and wear.

Plus, on the moon you would probably build very thick domes (or half-cylinders) to get enough radiation shielding. Those things would naturally be very strong.