Based on determined locations of Kukharev (K) regions, and the estimated times of their formation on Earth, in the atmosphere, and in space, antimatter may be produced and collected, as described by the present invention. Due to jumps in the gravitational field, various standing waves are formed from the resonances of the gravitational tides. A wave of charged particles is formed within the K region and can be setup to collide with targets comprising heavy metal atoms (or other equivalents), the colliding thereby creating antimatter particles. These antimatter particles can then be stored in various traps and used for various purposes, e.g., energy formation.

Methods and systems for depositing a deposition material on a substrate in a space environment may include a substrate support structure on a surface of a planetary body in the space environment, a depositor for the deposition material, an energy source associated with the depositor to excite the deposition material to form a vapor of the deposition, and a moveable elongate member associated with the depositor, to move the depositor over the substrate, whereby the vapor of deposition material from the depositor may pass over the substrate and flow to the substrate to coat the substrate with the deposition material.

Solar collectors can provide power for electricity, thermal propulsion, and material processing (e.g., mining asteroids). In one aspect, a rocket propulsion system is configured to produce thrust for a spacecraft and includes: one or more optical elements configured to receive solar energy. The optical elements include: a first window configured to allow energy to enter the rocket propulsion system and form a concentrated energy beam, and a second window positioned to allow the concentrated energy beam to pass to the heat exchanger. The second window is spaced away from the first window to form a pressurized plenum chamber therebetween. The system further includes: a heat exchanger configured to receive the energy and use it to heat and pressurize a propulsion gas, and a rocket nozzle configured to expel the pressurized propulsion gas.

Solar collectors can provide power for electricity, thermal propulsion, and material processing (e.g., mining asteroids). In one aspect, an apparatus for collecting solar energy and simultaneously protecting against damage from a resulting energy beam includes a solar energy collection system including at least one concentrator and a target configured to use, store, or convert the solar energy, the collection system configured to cause solar energy to focus on the target, at least one sensor configured to detect misalignment of the concentrator by determining that some or all of the collected solar energy is offset from the target, and a safety system configured to redirect the energy or interpose a safety structure for shielding other non-target systems from receiving too much solar energy from the collection system.

A satellite is disclosed, including a body and a communication device attached to the body. The body has an additively manufactured external wall structure at least partially forming an enclosed compartment, and the communication device is configured to receive and transmit data while in space.

A satellite is disclosed, including a body and a communication device attached to the body. The body has an additively manufactured external wall structure at least partially forming an enclosed compartment, and the communication device is configured to receive and transmit data while in space.

An apparatus, system and method are provided for launching, deploying and moving mobility platforms used to produce a three-dimensional product using additive printing. The product, or object, is made by collecting materials in-situ at an off-Earth celestial body. A sintering apparatus, such as a laser, is used to consolidate the planetary regrowth into a solid object. The apparatus can receive power, and can apply heat to assist in the consolidation process. The apparatus is moveable to the build site, and includes a print head having a collector for receiving collected materials, a conditioner for sintering and heating the collected materials, and an extruder, specifically a slip form opening in which the materials can be dispersed over the surface of the extraterrestrial body where the powder form of the conditioned materials are sintered, fused, or consolidated into a hard solid bead of material.

A trussed collapsible tubular mast includes a deformable beam having an extended state, a flattened state, and a rolled state, where a stiffness and strength of the deformable beam in the extended state is greater than a different stiffness and a different strength of the deformable beam in the flattened state. At least one collapsible tubular mast wall has a plurality of truss members of a first material having a first material thickness. At least one truss member is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the trussed collapsible tubular mast. Disposed between the truss members is a wall area of a second material thickness less thick than the first material thickness.

A trussed collapsible tubular mast includes a deformable beam having an extended state, a flattened state, and a rolled state, where a stiffness and strength of the deformable beam in the extended state is greater than a different stiffness and a different strength of the deformable beam in the flattened state. At least one collapsible tubular mast wall has a plurality of truss members of a first material having a first material thickness. At least one truss member is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the trussed collapsible tubular mast. Disposed between the truss members is a wall area of a second material thickness less thick than the first material thickness.

Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth. Various antenna arrays and configurations are disclosed, some of which can cooperate for a specific aiming or targeting effect.