Solar thermal and chemical hybrid rocket configurations for mining and other space applications are disclosed. One aspect is a rocket propulsion system configured to provide rocket thrust, including a solar absorber, a rocket nozzle, and a solar power collection system configured to collect solar energy from the sun, generate an energy beam from the collected sunlight, heat the solar absorber to transfer heat to one or more pressurized propulsive gases, and expel the heated pressurized propulsive gases through a rocket nozzle. A solar absorber can be formed from a granular collection or agglomeration of solids (e.g., of beads), which can be layered with more transparent layer(s) above and more absorbing layer(s) below to create a temperature profile in propellant(s) flowing through the absorber. A hybrid motor can provide an energy (e.g., solar) absorber for absorbing and transferring radiative energy as well as a combustion area. Multiple propellants can be present in a single chamber and be forced from a nozzle to produce thrust. Pressure in a rocket can be achieved from heating inert gasses, and alternatively or simultaneously, from mixing and igniting non-inert gasses.

A system and associated method constructs a building material from lunar soil. A magnetic sorter magnetically sorts the lunar soil and the system creates a layered surface comprising a microwave susceptible, thermal conductive top layer of lunar soil and a poorly microwave-susceptible and poorly thermally conductive sublayer of lunar soil. A microwave generator generates microwave energy into an antenna and directs the microwave energy onto the top layer of lunar soil to sinter the microwave susceptible, thermal conductive top layer of lunar soil.

An optical mining apparatus comprising: a light weight solar reflector; optics for controlling the delivery of concentrated sun light onto the surface of a target; and a temperature controlled gas enclosure that contains the target; wherein said solar reflector is oriented to reflect sun light onto said optics.

An optical mining apparatus comprising: a light weight solar reflector; optics for controlling the delivery of concentrated sun light onto the surface of a target; and a temperature controlled gas enclosure that contains the target; wherein said solar reflector is oriented to reflect sun light onto said optics.

Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. 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.

Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. 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.

The present invention relates to a rotating self-drilling device for extraterrestrial objects. One end of a pressure sensor installing barrel is connected with a rear cover; a reed fixing lower cover is installed on the rear cover; one end of a wire outlet post is connected with the reed fixing lower cover, and the other end is provided with a reed fixing upper cover; a plurality of reeds are arranged between the reed fixing upper cover and the reed fixing lower cover; both ends of each of the reeds are respectively connected with the reed fixing upper cover and the reed fixing lower cover; the other end of the pressure sensor installing barrel is connected with one end of a motor installing barrel; the other end of the motor installing barrel is connected with a motor installing barrel front cover; a motor and decelerator is placed in the motor installing barrel; both ends of a transmission shaft are respectively connected with the output end of the motor and decelerator and a ferrule; both ends of a milling head are respectively connected with the ferrule and a drill bit; a propelling spiral tube is sleeved outside the motor installing barrel; both ends are respectively connected with the ferrule and a bearing fixing cover; the bearing fixing cover is rotatably connected with the motor installing barrel; The overall structure of the present invention is light and compact. A drive system has only one motor to realize large penetration depth.

The present invention relates to a rotating self-drilling device for extraterrestrial objects. One end of a pressure sensor installing barrel is connected with a rear cover; a reed fixing lower cover is installed on the rear cover; one end of a wire outlet post is connected with the reed fixing lower cover, and the other end is provided with a reed fixing upper cover; a plurality of reeds are arranged between the reed fixing upper cover and the reed fixing lower cover; both ends of each of the reeds are respectively connected with the reed fixing upper cover and the reed fixing lower cover; the other end of the pressure sensor installing barrel is connected with one end of a motor installing barrel; the other end of the motor installing barrel is connected with a motor installing barrel front cover; a motor and decelerator is placed in the motor installing barrel; both ends of a transmission shaft are respectively connected with the output end of the motor and decelerator and a ferrule; both ends of a milling head are respectively connected with the ferrule and a drill bit; a propelling spiral tube is sleeved outside the motor installing barrel; both ends are respectively connected with the ferrule and a bearing fixing cover; the bearing fixing cover is rotatably connected with the motor installing barrel; The overall structure of the present invention is light and compact. A drive system has only one motor to realize large penetration depth.

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.

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.