Karte Sakhi is adjacent to Kabul University. As with Deh Mazang, and most of Kabul, it is a vast (re)construction site. The houses look neoclassical–not in the European sense, but as if ancient Mediterraneans were building their houses with materials … Continue reading
Here I am in the lovely, garden-like campus of Kabul University. Within the trees is the Faculty of Agriculture, and the field in the foreground will be used as a demonstration/laboratory field once the irrigation system is restored. In the … Continue reading
The neighbors of our guesthouse are rebuilding the lot-line wall to make it higher. When A4T rented this guesthouse, it was the only inhabitable building on the block. Still, about one third of the lots are just ruins; but construction … Continue reading
Here are Engineer Dehyar and Sabri, whom I worked with in 2003. At that time one of my tasks was to go through the International Building Code and identify passages for translation from English. The two sections that seemed useful … Continue reading
I arrived in Kabul on Weds, May 31, two days after the worst rioting in the city in several years. News of the riot began to emerge several hours after I had begun my journey, so it was disconcerting to … Continue reading
REMOTELY-OPERATED MACHINERY Originally written: 8 August 2005. Previous | Overview Beyond the earth’s atmosphere, most exterior operations will be done using mechanical remotes. Machines can operate outside without worrying about radiation shielding, pressurized suits, or extreme variations in temperature. The … Continue reading
MANUFACTURING Originally written: August 3, 2005. Previous | Overview | Next Bulk manufacturing on Luna will need to be done by automated or remote-controlled machines. Humans-in-spacesuits is too costly, as are pressurized, breathable environments. To control for temperature and dust, … Continue reading
LOCAL RESOURCING: Originally written: 8 August 2005. Previous | Overview | Next A solar oven seems the obvious way to melt and separate Lunar ore. Beyond the initial Earth-built small equipment, Luna-built reflectors seem easy to manufacture, so at least … Continue reading
MINING Originally written: 8 August 2005. Previous | Overview | Next Mainly this will include electric-powered, remote-controlled diggers and conveyor trucks or belts. The first target for mining is to grade a level path for the maglev launcher track. This … Continue reading
ENERGY COLLECTION, GENERATION, STORAGE Originally written: 8 August 2005. Previous | Overview | Next Initial: Earth-built photovoltaic panels, batteries, fuel-cell/electrolysis pairs. Secondary: Luna-built photovoltaic arrays, parabolic solar ovens for manufacturing, possibly thermoelectric. Massive, solar-powered?compulsators; alternators capable of delivering massive pulses … Continue reading