Trans Astronautica Corporation

Anthony Price Longman

Joel C Sercel

James G Small

Craig E Peterson

Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.

Systems and methods for radiant gas dynamic mining of permafrost for propellant extraction

Systems and methods are disclosed for directing radiant energy to permanently shadowed or occasionally shadowed regions such as on the floors of craters or in valleys in lunar polar regions to provide illumination, thermal power, electricity, communications, and other services. Embodiments of the systems include reflector elements to provide diffuse illumination, focused illumination, and thermal power, structures to support the reflectors and other elements, communications devices for varied signal types, and methods for installing the system. The structure can be compactly folded and delivered to be automatically installed.

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Castle Rock, CO, United States of America

Anthony Price Longman