More Water Out There, Ice Found on an Asteroid

**Nyrath** · Oct 9th, '09, 05:50 AM

http://spacefellowship.com/2009/10/0...n-an-asteroid/

For the first time, astronomers have confirmed that an asteroid contains frozen water on its surface. Analysis of asteroid 24 Themis shows evidence of water ice along with organic compounds widespread across the surface. The scientists say these new findings support the theory that asteroids brought both water and organic compounds to the early Earth, helping lay the foundation for life on the planet.

But for our purposes, ice on asteroids will be the key to creating a Belter civilization. Ice is one of the most valuable things in space in terms of space living. Water for drinking and growing food, oxygen for breathing, hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel and fuel cells.

**Kristopher** · Oct 9th, '09, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by Nyrath

http://spacefellowship.com/2009/10/0...n-an-asteroid/

But for our purposes, ice on asteroids will be the key to creating a Belter civilization. Ice is one of the most valuable things in space in terms of space living. Water for drinking and growing food, oxygen for breathing, hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel and fuel cells.

Very interesting news.

Regarding what the article noted about "organic compounds", I have to wonder just how complex they are, and how much they'd really survive a high-energy plunge, especially into an early molten earth.

**Nyrath** · Oct 9th, '09, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by Kristopher

Regarding what the article noted about "organic compounds", I have to wonder just how complex they are, and how much they'd really survive a high-energy plunge, especially into an early molten earth.

Probably not very complex.
But fresh meteorites have been discovered with frozen cores.

**Marcus Impudite** · Oct 9th, '09, 09:25 AM

Maybe the movie The Ice Pirates wasn't so far-fetched afterall...

**Drhoz** · Oct 9th, '09, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Marcus Impudite

Maybe the movie The Ice Pirates wasn't so far-fetched afterall...

Does that mean we have to have utterly ridiculous sex scenes in the future? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

**Cancer** · Oct 14th, '09, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by Kristopher

Very interesting news.

Regarding what the article noted about "organic compounds", I have to wonder just how complex they are, and how much they'd really survive a high-energy plunge, especially into an early molten earth.

Carbonaceous chondrites, a class of meteorite (that is, things that have already survived transport to and impact upon Earth). They are "primitive" in the sense that the material in them has experienced little or no chemical alteration since the stuff condensed out of the original accretion disk. They are intensely studied for just that reason, and they have clearly been falling on Earth for the entire 4.5 Gyr lifetime of the planet.

**Kristopher** · Oct 14th, '09, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Cancer

Carbonaceous chondrites, a class of meteorite (that is, things that have already survived transport to and impact upon Earth). They are "primitive" in the sense that the material in them has experienced little or no chemical alteration since the stuff condensed out of the original accretion disk. They are intensely studied for just that reason, and they have clearly been falling on Earth for the entire 4.5 Gyr lifetime of the planet.

Indeed.

I was refering to any complex organics that might be on/in them, and how well that stuff would survive the plunge and impact.

**Cancer** · Oct 14th, '09, 11:02 AM

There's a rich literature about that. I haven't found a good review article yet that isn't behind a subscriber or PPV wall yet. I'll edit this post when I find one.