A lunar excavation and projectile transport system includes a projectile launcher having a base and a throwing arm and a projectile catcher. The throwing arm is rotatably coupled to the base and arranged at a mounting angle relative to a central axis defined by the base. The mounting angle defines a lunch angle for a processed core sample that is launched from within the throwing arm during rotation of the throwing arm by an electric motor. The projectile catcher includes a storage body, a plurality of telescoping arms coupled to the storage body, and a fabric wrapped around each of the plurality of telescoping arms to define a catching volume within which the processed core sample launched by the projectile launcher is caught.

A lunar excavation and projectile transport system includes a projectile launcher having a base and a throwing arm and a projectile catcher. The throwing arm is rotatably coupled to the base and arranged at a mounting angle relative to a central axis defined by the base. The mounting angle defines a lunch angle for a processed core sample that is launched from within the throwing arm during rotation of the throwing arm by an electric motor. The projectile catcher includes a storage body, a plurality of telescoping arms coupled to the storage body, and a fabric wrapped around each of the plurality of telescoping arms to define a catching volume within which the processed core sample launched by the projectile launcher is caught.

The invention relates to a low-power microwave coring machine suitable for lunar rocks and a use method. The low-power microwave coring machine suitable for lunar rocks comprises an equipment platform, wherein the support framework front plate and the support framework rear plate are mounted on the equipment platform in a sliding manner, a rear end surface of the support framework rear plate is connected with a front end of the microwave generator mounted on the equipment platform, a rear end of the microwave generator is sequentially connected with the fixed waveguide, the rotary waveguide, the power divider and the drill drum, the high-precision slip ring structure is mounted on the drill drum, the gear ferrules are arranged on an outer wall of the rotary waveguide and an outer wall of the drill drum.

The invention relates to a low-power microwave coring machine suitable for lunar rocks and a use method. The low-power microwave coring machine suitable for lunar rocks comprises an equipment platform, wherein the support framework front plate and the support framework rear plate are mounted on the equipment platform in a sliding manner, a rear end surface of the support framework rear plate is connected with a front end of the microwave generator mounted on the equipment platform, a rear end of the microwave generator is sequentially connected with the fixed waveguide, the rotary waveguide, the power divider and the drill drum, the high-precision slip ring structure is mounted on the drill drum, the gear ferrules are arranged on an outer wall of the rotary waveguide and an outer wall of the drill drum.

An exploration method includes: a step of exploring a natural resource on a satellite, a minor planet, or a planet; a step of acquiring the natural resource detected by the exploration; and a step of storing the acquired natural resource.

An exploration method includes: a step of exploring a natural resource on a satellite, a minor planet, or a planet; a step of acquiring the natural resource detected by the exploration; and a step of storing the acquired natural resource.

A transportation network for providing propellant in space can include optical mining vehicles that concentrate solar energy to spall captured asteroids, capture released volatiles, and store them in reservoirs as propellants. The network can also have orbital transfer vehicles that use solar thermal rocket modules that focus solar energy on heat exchangers to force propellant through nozzles, as well as separable aeromaneuvering tanker modules with reusable heatshields and storage tanks. The network can have propellant depots positioned between Earth and a transport destination. The depots can mechanically couple to accept propellant delivery and to supply it to visiting space vehicles.

A transportation network for providing propellant in space can include optical mining vehicles that concentrate solar energy to spall captured asteroids, capture released volatiles, and store them in reservoirs as propellants. The network can also have orbital transfer vehicles that use solar thermal rocket modules that focus solar energy on heat exchangers to force propellant through nozzles, as well as separable aeromaneuvering tanker modules with reusable heatshields and storage tanks. The network can have propellant depots positioned between Earth and a transport destination. The depots can mechanically couple to accept propellant delivery and to supply it to visiting space vehicles.

A multi-layer shell structure for a vehicle and method of providing a multi-layer shell structure for a vehicle. The multi-layer structure includes a thermal protection system (TPS) layer, a structural layer connected to the TPS layer, and a high tensile fabric barrier layer bonded to the structural layer. Room-temperature-vulcanizing silicone may be used to bond the TPS layer to the structural layer and bond the high tensile fabric barrier layer to the structural layer. The high tensile fabric barrier layer may create a seal on the structural layer. The multi-layer shell structure may include inner shell enclosing a passenger and/or cargo compartment and an annulus between the inner shell and the high tensile fabric barrier layer. The high tensile fabric barrier layer may prohibit entry of gas into the annulus in the event a hole is created through a portion of the multi-layer shell structure.

A system for excavation of magnetic regolith having a collection chamber, a transport tube, a power supply, a wiring system, a controller, and a plurality of electromagnetic coils. Embodiments according to the invention allow for the excavator to have an electromagnetic rod and a flexible tubing. Further embodiments of the invention allow for excavation along vertical and horizontal axes and for the electromagnetic coils to be energized simultaneously.