The present invention describes methods, systems, and devices for utilizing high-intensity regions within atmospheres of planetary bodies to receive and harvest electricity. Such high-intensity regions are formed as a result of the combined gravitational forces affecting a given planetary body and particularly the particles within the atmosphere of that planetary body. The combined gravitational forces result in a gravitational resonant frequency which affects the atmosphere most intensely within said high-intensity regions. By determining moments of gravitational resonant frequencies based on a given location, the methods, systems, and devices described herein utilize the energy provided within the high-intensity regions during the determined moments. Harvesting and further transmitting the collected energy is also disclosed.

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 system and methods are provided for combining systems of an upper stage space launch vehicle for enhancing the operation of the space vehicle. Hydrogen and oxygen already on board as propellant for the upper stage rockets is also used for other upper stage functions to include propellant tank pressurization, attitude control, vehicle settling, and electrical requirements. Specifically, gases from the propellant tanks, instead of being dumped overboard, are used as fuel and oxidizer to power an internal combustion engine that produces mechanical power for driving other elements including a starter/generator for generation of electrical current, mechanical power for fluid pumps, and other uses. The exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine is also used directly in one or more vehicle settling thrusters. Accumulators which store the waste ullage gases are pressurized and provide pressurization control for the propellant tanks. The system is constructed in a modular configuration in which two redundant integrated fluid modules may be mounted to the vehicle, each of the modules capable of supporting the upper stage functions.

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.

A hybrid power source and control moment gyroscope (“HPCMG”) is disclosed. The HPCMG includes a control moment gyroscope (“CMG”), a first conductive bearing, and a second conductive bearing. The CMG includes a first transverse gimbal assembly, a central mass that produces a voltage potential, and a second gimbal assembly rotationally connected to the first transverse gimbal assembly. The first transverse gimbal assembly is rotationally connected to the central mass along a first axis of rotation and the central mass is configured to spin about the first axis of rotation and the first transverse gimbal assembly is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation of the second gimbal assembly. The first conductive bearing rotationally connects the central mass with the first position of the first transverse gimbal assembly along the first axis of rotation.

The present invention describes methods, systems, and devices for utilizing high-intensity regions within atmospheres of planetary bodies to receive and harvest electricity. Such high-intensity regions are formed as a result of the combined gravitational forces affecting a given planetary body and particularly the particles within the atmosphere of that planetary body. The combined gravitational forces result in a gravitational resonant frequency which affects the atmosphere most intensely within said high-intensity regions. By determining moments of gravitational resonant frequencies based on a given location, the methods, systems, and devices described herein utilize the energy provided within the high-intensity regions during the determined moments. Harvesting and further transmitting the collected energy is also disclosed.

A rover can include a spherical shall and an avionics hub. The spherical shell defines a spherical volume and having an inner surface and an outer surface. The avionics hub is disposed within the spherical volume. The avionics hub includes an avionics shell, a data acquisition unit, and a plurality of motortrain assemblies. The avionics shell is disposed with the spherical volume of the spherical shell. The data acquisition unit is disposed within the avionics shell. Each motortrain assembly includes a motorized wheel extending at least partially through the avionics shell and in contact with the inner surface of the spherical shell, the plurality of motortrain assemblies configured to rotate the spherical shell relative to the avionics shell to move the rover.

A sublimation generator including a sublimation tank configured to receive ice including at least carbon dioxide. The sublimation generator also includes a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the sublimation tank. The first heat exchanger being configured to expel heat from a coolant into the sublimation tank to sublimate the carbon dioxide into a gaseous state. The sublimation generator also includes a gas turbine generator fluidly connected to the sublimation tank and configured to receive the carbon dioxide in the gaseous state.

A sublimation generator including a sublimation tank configured to receive ice including at least carbon dioxide. The sublimation generator also includes a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the sublimation tank. The first heat exchanger being configured to expel heat from a coolant into the sublimation tank to sublimate the carbon dioxide into a gaseous state. The sublimation generator also includes a gas turbine generator fluidly connected to the sublimation tank and configured to receive the carbon dioxide in the gaseous state.

A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.