A vapor collection system that can be used at an extra-terrestrial body is envisioned to collect target gaseous atoms and molecules that are floating around in a shielded environment at a pressure at or less than 1?10.sup.?5 bar. The shielded environment is defined within sidewalls and in some cases is defined within a cover. A condensation surface in the shielded environment is maintained at a temperature between 2? Kelvin and 100? Kelvin to collect the target gas that is floating around, which condenses on the condensation surface as a liquid. A collection receptacle at the condensation surface collects the liquid. A heating element in the shielded environment is made to heat and release the target gas from minerals at or beyond the rim. The gas floats around in the shielded environment.

Systems and methods for generating a thin film of a fluid are described. In an embodiment, a fluid support structure may be configured to receive a fluid, such as water, at a top surface and to support the fluid over at least a portion of the top surface. Channels may be formed in the top surface of the fluid support structure. Wiper blades may be configured to move over the top surface in contact with at least a portion of the fluid to form the fluid into a thin film. The wiper blades may include protrusions corresponding to the channels. As the wiper blades move over the top surface, the protrusions may move within the channels forming a thin film of the fluid within the channels. According to some embodiments, the fluid support structure may be configured as an evaporation surface configured to facilitate the evaporation of the fluid.

The present invention corresponds to a condensation device which in turn comprises said condensation device. The condensation device includes a first container (10), a heat exchanger (20) housed inside the first container, a condensing chamber (30) below the heat exchanger and a stirrer (40) housed inside the first container. In an embodiment of the invention, the condensation device also comprises a second container, where both containers have a double wall. Moreover, the containers may include flanges for the inlet and outlet of substances into the containers and the heat exchanger, and for monitoring the substances inside the device.