Systems and methods for transferring, storing, and/or processing materials, such as fuel or propellant, in space, are disclosed. A representative system includes a flexible container that is changeable between a stowed configuration in which the flexible container is contained within a satellite, and a deployed configuration in which the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The system can include a tanker with a storage container to dock with and refuel a satellite. Another representative system includes a controller programmed with instructions that position a spacecraft with a storage container in a first orbit, transfer the spacecraft to a second orbit, dock the spacecraft with a satellite in the second orbit, transfer material between the storage container and the satellite, undock the spacecraft from the satellite, and, optionally, return the spacecraft to the first orbit. An androgynous coupling system with mechanical and fluid connectors facilitates docking and material transfer.

A satellite propellant tank includes a tank body and a dome attached to the tank body to enclose an interior volume for propellant storage. One or more cavities are formed in the dome. One or more propellant control components are located in the one or more cavities formed in the dome.

An enclosed volume is provided for performing operations in space, or on any astronomical object, in a manner separated from aspects of the external environment. The enclosed volume can be a flexible container for a satellite. The enclosed volume can include a membrane having a fluid barrier layer and being configured to contain a propellant gas or fluid; and an expulsion device configured to expel material from the membrane. In a stowed configuration, the flexible container is contained within the satellite, and in a deployed configuration, the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The flexible container can inflate from one shape, in the undeployed configuration, to another shape, in a deployed configuration. The other shape can be toroidal or other appropriate shapes. The flexible container can provide bipropellant, blowdown, and gas/fluid metering functionality. Entertainment and game play can be enabled by the enclosed volume involving robots and other devices.

Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for delivering high triple point propellant to a rocket engine and maintaining the desired phase of the propellant during engine ignition.

Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An aerospace system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A propulsion system can be carried by the launch vehicle, and can have at least one nozzle positioned toward the first end of the vehicle to launch the vehicle. A controller can be in communication with the launch vehicle and programmed to direct the vehicle in the first direction during vehicle ascent, and in the second direction during vehicle descent.

A system for imparting linear momentum transfer may include a catching mechanism of a target space vehicle and a tether that is configured to impart a linear momentum transfer from the tether to the target space vehicle. The tether may be fixedly or detachably connected to a Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle that maneuvers and potentially retrieves the tether. Alternatively, the tether may be separate from the KEST vehicle and may be retrieved by a suitable retrieving mechanism, such as a robotic arm.

A thermal control system may transfer energy (directly or after a delay) to a thrusting device that can be used to slow a reentry vehicle entering a gaseous atmosphere from orbit. The thermal control system may mitigate the heating of the vehicle by transferring heat generated by the viscous interaction between the vehicle and high-altitude portions of a planetary atmosphere to a working fluid. This working fluid may then be routed through and/or ejected through one or more nozzles aligned to produce thrust in a direction that opposes the forward motion of this vehicle. This counter thrust may help to slow the reentry vehicle and reduce the amount of kinetic energy that can be converted into thermal energy. The working fluid may also be stored to use for propulsion after the reentry vehicle slows below hypersonic velocities.

A system and methods are disclosed for an upper stage space launch vehicle that uses gases from the propellant tanks to power an internal combustion engine that produces mechanical power for driving other components including a generator for generation of electrical current for operating compressors and fluid pumps and for charging batteries. These components and others comprise a thermodynamic system from which system enthalpy may be leveraged by extracting and moving heat to increase the efficient use of propellant and the longevity and performance of the launch vehicle.

Quick disconnect devices for high pressure fluid transfer, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative quick disconnect system includes a first connector and a second connector. The second connector can have an opening sized and shaped to receive a first end of the first connector. The second connector can include a poppet positioned to open the first connector when the first connector is connected to the second connector. The second connector can include an inner sleeve moveable between a first position wherein the poppet head forms a fluid-tight seal with the annular seat of the inner sleeve, and a second position wherein the second end portion is open to permit fluid flow through the end portion of the inner sleeve. In some embodiments, the inner sleeve is pressure balanced in every direction.

The present disclosure discloses a propulsion method based on liquid carbon dioxide phase change and a propulsion device. The method includes the following steps of: accommodating carbon dioxide in a thermally insulated container in a liquid phase form; transiently heating to convert the carbon dioxide from a liquid phase to a gas phase; and jetting carbon dioxide gas after the phase change in a predetermined direction by a predetermined jet-out amount so as to obtain a propulsion force.