An immobility system for a free-fall environment includes an immobility device including at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A remote controller is spaced apart from the valve and is configured to selectably transmit an activation signal to the valve. An immobility device includes at least one suction cup configured to engage the immobility device to a surface, and a valve that, when activated, results in release of the at least one suction cup from engagement with the surface. A receiver at the device is configured to receive an activation signal and activate the valve.

Enclosures for facilitating activities in space, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a spacecraft having an enclosed interior volume (which can be formed by an inflatable membrane) and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carried by the spacecraft and positioned to deploy into the enclosed interior volume. The system can include a remote-control system to control the one or more UAVs from a terrestrial location while the spacecraft is in space. A wireless charging system can provide electrical power to the one or more UAVs. A representative method includes configuring one or more controllers to launch a first spacecraft to a first orbit, launch a second spacecraft to a second orbit, move the first spacecraft to the second orbit, dock the first spacecraft with the second spacecraft, and broadcast an event within an interior volume of the first spacecraft to a terrestrial location.

An airlock for an extraplanetary environment includes an enclosed volume, an interior hatch separating the enclosed volume from a pressurized space, and an exterior hatch separating the enclosed volume from an external environment. The enclosed volume is selectably variable to reduce a mass of resources, lost into the external environment from the enclosed volume. A method of assembling an airlock for an extraplanetary environment includes defining an enclosed volume, positioning an interior hatch at the enclosed volume separating the enclosed volume from a pressurized space, and positioning an exterior hatch at the enclosed volume separating the enclosed volume from an external environment. The enclosed volume is selectably variable to reduce a mass of resources lost into the external environment from the enclosed volume.

An airlock for an extraplanetary environment includes an enclosed volume, an interior hatch separating the enclosed volume from a pressurized space, and an exterior hatch separating the enclosed volume from an external environment. The enclosed volume is selectably variable to reduce a mass of resources, lost into the external environment from the enclosed volume. A method of assembling an airlock for an extraplanetary environment includes defining an enclosed volume, positioning an interior hatch at the enclosed volume separating the enclosed volume from a pressurized space, and positioning an exterior hatch at the enclosed volume separating the enclosed volume from an external environment. The enclosed volume is selectably variable to reduce a mass of resources lost into the external environment from the enclosed volume.

An equipment cleaning apparatus for an extraplanetary environment includes a cleaner vessel positioned at an exterior of an extraplanetary habitat, and an exterior hatch located outside of the extraplanetary habitat and allowing access to an interior of the cleaner vessel. The cleaning apparatus is operable in one or more cleaning cycles to clean equipment located in the cleaner vessel. A method of cleaning equipment in an extraplanetary environment includes providing a cleaner vessel at an extraplanetary habitat, placing one or more articles of equipment into an interior of the cleaner vessel through an exterior hatch located outside of the extraplanetary habitat, closing the exterior hatch, and operating one or more cleaning cycles on the equipment in the cleaner vessel.

In a method for producing a rail-shaped hybrid component, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, a second rail component made of a titanium material is positioned on a first bar of a first profile rail that is made of a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic material and moved in an advancing direction, in a fixed position relative to the first profile rail, such that a bar portion of the first bar is arranged between a first connecting portion of the second rail component and a second connecting portion of the second rail component, and the second rail component is cohesively connected to the first profile rail. Furthermore, the hybrid component has a first profile rail made of a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic material and a second rail component made of a titanium material.

In a method for producing a rail-shaped hybrid component, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, a second rail component made of a titanium material is positioned on a first bar of a first profile rail that is made of a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic material and moved in an advancing direction, in a fixed position relative to the first profile rail, such that a bar portion of the first bar is arranged between a first connecting portion of the second rail component and a second connecting portion of the second rail component, and the second rail component is cohesively connected to the first profile rail. Furthermore, the hybrid component has a first profile rail made of a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic material and a second rail component made of a titanium material.

A moon/planet complex, an orbiting docking spaceport, and transportation vehicles therebetween that includes i) moon/planet base station having a landing platform with a plurality of charged plates; ii) a moon/planet orbiting craft, docking spacecraft having landing platform with a plurality of charged plates; iii) a personnel transport spacecraft to shuttle personnel between an orbiting craft and planetary/moon base station having rotating electromagnetic rings 320 and/or rotating electromagnetic plates to interact with charged plates; iv) a large personnel/cargo transport spacecraft to shuttle personnel between an orbiting craft and planetary base station having rotating electromagnetic plates to interact with charged plates.

A moon/planet complex, an orbiting docking spaceport, and transportation vehicles therebetween that includes i) moon/planet base station having a landing platform with a plurality of charged plates; ii) a moon/planet orbiting craft, docking spacecraft having landing platform with a plurality of charged plates; iii) a personnel transport spacecraft to shuttle personnel between an orbiting craft and planetary/moon base station having rotating electromagnetic rings 320 and/or rotating electromagnetic plates to interact with charged plates; iv) a large personnel/cargo transport spacecraft to shuttle personnel between an orbiting craft and planetary base station having rotating electromagnetic plates to interact with charged plates.

A toilet for use on a space vehicle has a toilet bowl having a storage canister at a remote end for receiving human waste. The compactor includes a cable connected to a lever which pulls the cable in a direction forcing the compactor into the storage canister to compact the captured waste when the lever is actuated.