Atomically precise manipulation of matter is becoming increasingly common in laboratories around the world. As this control moves into aerospace systems, huge improvements in computers, high-strength materials, and other systems are expected. For example, studies suggest that it may be possible to build: 10(exp 18) MIPS computers, 10(exp 15) bytes/sq cm write once memory, $153-412/kg-of-cargo single- stage-to-orbit launch vehicles and active materials which sense their environment and react intelligently. All of NASA's enterprises should benefit significantly from molecular nanotechnology. Although the time may be measured in decades and the precise path to molecular nanotechnology is unclear, all paths (diamondoid, fullerene, self-assembly, biomolecular, etc.) will require very substantial computation. This talk will discuss fullerene nanotechnology and early work on hypothetical active materials consisting of large numbers of identical machines. The speaker will also discuss aerospace applications, particularly missions leading to widespread space settlement (e.g., small near-Earth - object retrieval). It is interesting to note that control of the tiny - individual atoms and molecules - may lead to colonization of the huge -first the solar system, then the galaxy.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Molecular Nanotechnology and Space Settlement


    Contributors:
    Globus, Al (author) / Saini, Subhash (author)

    Conference:

    Center for Integrated Space Microsystems Seminar Series ; 1998 ; Pasadena, CA, United States


    Publication date :

    1998-01-01


    Type of media :

    Preprint


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Challenges of Molecular Nanotechnology for Space Exploration

    McKendree, Thomas / Freitas, Robert / Globus, Al et al. | AIAA | 2005


    Implications of Molecular Nanotechnology for Space Resources

    Gillett, S. L. / Space Studies Institute | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997


    Nanotechnology in space

    Terranova, Maria Letizia ;Tamburri, Emanuela | TIBKAT | 2022


    Nanotechnology in space

    Terranova, M. L. ;Tamburri, Emanuela | TIBKAT | 2021


    Molecular Nanotechnology and National Security

    Vandermolen, Thomas D. | Online Contents | 2006