Ore
The main commodities derived from the Terra Nova List revolve around the age of the star. At the beginning of the universe we tend to only see hydrogen. The more complex elements, and resulting minerals, are only made BY stars. As a result, each generation of stars makes elements that are further and further down the list of elements on the periodic table. As such, mining ores will tend to only take place in younger star systems.
Helium3
Helium3 builds up on the crust of rocky planets, moons, and asteroids over the years via a star’s solar wind. Here then it makes sense to mine Helium3 from the oldest stars, which will tend to have less ores. Why bother? It is the ideal fuel for nuclear fusion plants, and is very rare on Earth. The profit potential for Helium3 alone makes this entire endeavor worth it.
Human Requirements
Mindful of the ship and its passengers, a few other important commodities are needed:
- Food – Will need to be grown on ships and at bases.
- Air – Hydrox available after splitting water molecules into Hydrogen and Oxygen. Safer gasses will need to be used whenever possible.
- Water – Needed for the Air concern above, it is also needed to hydrate humans and plants, and to serve as an oxidizer (see below). Thankfully, the universe is more or less littered with it.
Ship Requirements
As discussed in Ship Technologies, the most efficient method for braking is by the chemical combustion of a fuel. Such a burn requires three things:
- An oxidizer
- A fuel
- An ignition source
We will deal with these as ordered.
Oxidizer: Oxygen
Oxygen should be available after splitting the water molecules for producing a breathing gas, above.
Fuel: Various
In Lunar Soil Propellants, the Wickman Spacecraft and Propulsion Company discusses the makeup of lunar soil and which elements can be used as a fuel. Phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium and aluminum were all identified as possibilities. In this way, the ores we carry above may also serve as important sources of fuel.
Ignition Source
Of course, a simple electrical spark will be sufficient here. Existing systems on the ships should enable this.