Alpha base was set up to receive prefabricated modules on a daily bases and support a growing work force. With large nuclear-powered deep-hole drilling rigs, the bases could rapidly expand. Add to the fact that there are no EPA concerns, as there is no water or air to pollute and the background radiation is hundreds of times higher then a full nuclear meltdown could ever produce. Adding hundreds of residents monthly as the base construction ramped-up was no real problem. Adding to its growth was the setting up of a Electro-magnetic catapult launching site by Microrocket, a company specializing in this new technology that only a dozen years ago was only a few equations and concept papers. The electro-magnetic catapult was first used to transport rocket fuel for the orbital "tug-like" NERVA