Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Hmmm.... I think I have to respectfully disagree...

We don't disagree much on this.
et — (archived)

Locally manufactured components is an unnecessary step assuming you have an Earth-Moon infrasructure moving hardware anyway. As you said, a moon scope doesn't have an Earth bound telescope's structural requirements, so it could presumably be much lighter.

A compound lens, like the new one at McDonald Obs. could be shipped one segment at a time and assembled as quickly.

As for enclosing and protecting the aparature with a suitably transparent material, I agree that fused silica and quartz would be less than perfect. Do you happen to know the x-mission spectra of diamond right off hand? I googled for it, but alas... Probably too high of an index of refraction.

However, a diamond coating for a mirror might make a nice hard, reflective surface for such a harsh environment.

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