Atmospheric Mining in the Outer Solar System: Issues and Challenges for Mining Vehicle Propulsion

Palaszewski, Bryan

doi:10.2514/6.2011-6041

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Outer planet analyses for capturing fusion fuels from Uranus and Neptune were conducted in Refs. [11][12][13].…”

Section: In Situ Resource Utilization (Isru)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar System Exploration Augmented by In Situ Resource Utilization: System Analyses, Vehicles, and Moon Bases for Saturn Exploration

Palaszewski¹

2020

Planetology - Future Explorations

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Human and robotic missions to Saturn are presented and analyzed with a range of propulsion options. Historical studies of space exploration, planetary spacecraft and astronomy, in situ resource utilization (ISRU), and industrialization all point to the vastness of natural resources in the solar system. Advanced propulsion is benefitted from these resources in many ways. While advanced propulsion systems were proposed in these historical studies, further investigation of nuclear options using high-power nuclear electric and nuclear pulse propulsion as well as advanced chemical propulsion can significantly enhance these scenarios. Updated analyses based on these historical visions are presented. At Saturn, nuclear pulse propulsion with alternate propellant feed systems and Saturn moon exploration with chemical propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion options are discussed. Issues with using in situ resource utilization on Saturn's moons are discussed. At Saturn, the best locations for exploration and the use of the moons as central locations for Saturn moon exploration are assessed. Environmental issues on Titan's surface may present extreme challenges for some ISRU processes. In-space bases for moon-orbiting propellant processing and ground-based processing will be assessed.

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“…Outer planet analyses for capturing fusion fuels from Uranus and Neptune were conducted in Refs. [11][12][13].…”

Section: In Situ Resource Utilization (Isru)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar System Exploration Augmented by In Situ Resource Utilization: System Analyses, Vehicles, and Moon Bases for Saturn Exploration

Palaszewski¹

2020

Planetology - Future Explorations

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“…The predicted specific impulse for these vehicles is between 1800 and 6000 seconds [47]. The NPP vehicles were considered a logical precursor to the pulsed fusion propulsion systems, noted in many of the atmospheric mining in the outer solar system (AMOSS, [51,52] studies.…”

Section: Nuclear Pulse Propulsionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Atmospheric mining of the outer solar system (AMOSS) is one of the options for creating nuclear fusion fuels, such as 3He and deuterium [32,51,52]. Uranus' and Neptune's atmospheres would be the primary mining sites.…”

Section: Atmospheric Mining In the Outer Solar Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar System Exploration Augmented by In Situ Resource Utilization: Lunar Base Issues

Palaszewski¹

2019

Lunar Science

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Creating a presence and an industrial capability on the Moon is essential for the development of humankind. There are many historical study results that have identified and quantified the lunar resources and analyzed the methods of obtaining and employing those resources. The idea of finding, obtaining, and using these materials is called in situ resource utilization (ISRU). The ISRU research and development efforts have led to new ideas in rocket propulsion. Applications in chemical propulsion, nuclear electric propulsion, and many other propulsion systems will be critical in making the initial lunar base and future lunar industries more sustainable and will lead to brilliant futures for humanity.

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“…Aerospacecraft cruisers have been identified as a "best" solution for atmospheric mining (Ref. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. To power these vehicles, atmospheric hydrogen gas would be liquefied and used a rocket propellant for the ascent to orbit.…”

Section: Resource Capturing Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric Mining in the Outer Solar System: Outer Planet In-Space Bases and Moon Bases for Resource Processing

Palaszewski

2017

53rd AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference

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Voice (216) 433-5802 FAX bryan.a.palaszewski@nasa.gov Fuels and Space Propellants Web Site: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/Fuels-And-Space-Propellants/foctopsb.htmAtmospheric mining in the outer solar system has been investigated as a means of fuel production for high energy propulsion and power. Fusion fuels such as Helium 3 (3He) and deuterium can be wrested from the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune and either returned to Earth or used in-situ for energy production. Helium 3 and deuterium were the primary gases of interest with hydrogen being the primary propellant for nuclear thermal solid core and gas core rocket-based atmospheric flight. A series of analyses were undertaken to investigate resource capturing aspects of atmospheric mining in the outer solar system. This included the gas capturing rate, storage options, and different methods of direct use of the captured gases. While capturing 3He, large amounts of hydrogen and 4He are produced. The propulsion and transportation requirements for all of the major moons of Uranus and Neptune are presented. Analyses of orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs), landers, factories, and the issues with in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) low gravity processing factories are included. Preliminary observations are presented on near-optimal selections of moon base orbital locations, OTV power levels, and OTV and lander rendezvous points. Several artificial gravity in-space base designs and orbital sites at Uranus and Neptune and the OTV requirements to support them are also addressed.

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Atmospheric Mining in the Outer Solar System: Issues and Challenges for Mining Vehicle Propulsion

Cited by 16 publications

References 7 publications

Solar System Exploration Augmented by In Situ Resource Utilization: System Analyses, Vehicles, and Moon Bases for Saturn Exploration

Solar System Exploration Augmented by In Situ Resource Utilization: System Analyses, Vehicles, and Moon Bases for Saturn Exploration

Solar System Exploration Augmented by In Situ Resource Utilization: Lunar Base Issues

Atmospheric Mining in the Outer Solar System: Outer Planet In-Space Bases and Moon Bases for Resource Processing

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