Drilling In Space

[GammaMambo]

I was discussing the concept of drilling in space with some people and though I describe it as a "bone marrow sample" of the planets, others didn't seem to agree that it should be done.

I was wondering what anyone here thought about that.

[too-open-minded]

Well I think it sounds like a good idea once we have the technology and resources to do so, which is passed our lifetimes :/

[Ophiolite]

Excuse me Gamma, I'm slowing down mentally in my old age. Is your question equivalent to this one: "Is there significant scientific value to be gained by drilling or coring into the crusts of the terrestrial planets and larger satellites?"

 

If that is your question then the answer is a resounding yes. The difficulty would be in implementing the process. To conduct equivalent operations on the Earth requires the use of drilling rigs costing up to $500,000 a day and requireing crews of one hundred or more. It is not clear to me how such processes could be conducted economically on a remote planet. Suggestions?

[CaptainPanic]

Assuming that we are indeed talking about drilling into the crust of planets, moons and asteroids, I think we should first define the goal of such drilling.

The goal could be:

 

1. Mining for minerals / metals

2. Science (how did our solar system form?)

3. Something else

 

The design, execution and financing of the project will be different depending on the goal, although there might be an overlap.