Stones as resources - idea

[Marco2001]

Stones as resources
Using stones as a source of mineral suply for Mars ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization)


This concept is fairly simple - some stones are mineral bloks like Hematite or Bouxite that are ready to be used on Mars. All you have to do is to find them, and melt them down inside Ore Processing Unit.
THIS IS NOT MY IDEA! It comes from game "Marsbase version 5.2". I just would like to add that this technology for stone-survey was sucessfouly used on rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity".

"Exploration, rocks analysis, water detection

There is a specific action sheet dedicated to the exploration and analysis of the terrain using various tools, such as mini TES, Mossbauer spectrometer, APXS and ground radar. Most of them were onboard Spirit and Opportunity, the 2 Martian rovers that landed on Mars on Januray 2004.

At the beginning of the game, interesting rocks are not displayed on the map and the Geographic Information System (GIS) does not provide any geological information either (except brown areas representing good high points for a windmill). The exploration can be divided in 2 steps: a) Use of the mini-TES to identify interesting rocks among all others from a distance, b) Use of Mossbauer spectrometer and APXS in situ to perform an accurate classification of the rocks.
   

    * List of possible actions: Underground water detection: Requires the "ground-penetrating radar", power supply and the presence of an underground "cavity echo". A blue area is displayed on the image of the GIS after positive detection. Later on, water can be extracted using a well rig.
    * Mini TES (Thermal Emission Spectrometer) analysis: This device is usually used for a distant rocks classification by sending IR signals and performing interferometry of the thermal reflection. In Marsbase, its use is simplified. The action is allowed only if interesting rocks are in the neighbourhood (100 pixels). If so, interesting rocks are displayed on the map and are classified as "ferrous rocks" or "non-ferrous" rocks. A deeper analysis is required to get more detailed information.
    * Mossbauer spectrometry: Requires the Mossbauer spectrometer, ferrous rocks under the rover (or the object that holds the Mossbauer) and power supply. This device is usually used to distinguish between different types of ferrous rocks. In Marsbase, it is still very simplified and enables the distinction between olivine and hematite. Red or green points are displayed on the image of the GIS. Later on, hematite can be mined for the production of iron.
    * APXS analysis: Requires the APXS (Aplha Particle X-ray Spectrometer), non-ferrous rocks under the rover and power supply. The APXS determines all elements present in the rocks and enables a precise classification. In Marsbase, sulphur (yellow), bauxite (white), silicates (gray) and copper (dark blue) can be identified this way. The corresponding color is then displayed on the image of the GIS. "

Here's a schematic that I made for better understanding of it.



If needed here's a bigger version of this picture: http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1691/stonemco2.jpg

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You can read about Mini-TES here: http://marsrover.nasa.gov/mission/spacecraft_instru_minites.html
                                   and here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-TES
Here about Mössbauer spectroscope: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6ssbauer_spectrometer
                                          and here: http://marsrover.nasa.gov/mission/spacecraft_instru_mossbr.html
And here about APXS: http://www.fourth-millennium.net/space-exploration/space-exploration-msl-apxs.html
                   and here: http://marsrover.nasa.gov/mission/spacecraft_instru_apxs.html

[profit004]

You should play dwarf fortress =p

Anyhow the idea is solid, however it fails to classify a lot of rocks as economically worthless which I am sure most would be.

Still a solid idea with possibilities.

[Zaneo]

After you get over Dwarf fortress's linear learning curve then you're fine.


Edit:By linear I meant vertical, sorry lol.

[Utini]

Wouldn't classify DF's learning curve as linear, more asymptotically approaching infinity along both time and knowledge axis with a near vertical initial slope, flatter if you utilize the compiled knowledge rather than self-discovery. Still WAY too fun.