mccoy school of engineering midwestern state university a future gold rush: capturing asteroids wade...
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McCoy School of EngineeringMidwestern State University
A FUTURE GOLD RUSH: CAPTURING ASTEROIDS
WADE COURTNEY & TYLER THOMAS
MENTOR: DR. M. SALIM AZZOUZ
UGROW RESEARCH PROGRAM 2013
FRIDAY JULY 5TH 2013
OBJECTIVE & MOTIVATION
Objective: Developing an elaborate concept of capturing an asteroid passing nearby earth, landing it safely on earth and exploiting its raw materials.
Motivation: Asteroids are worth trillions of dollars PMG can be used to reduce the deficit and paying
debts Elements can be used in high tech manufacturing
processes Elements can be used to build efficient solar power
satellites in outer space Assist in alleviating an asteroid threat Can be used for military purposes Cleaning debris in outer space
Gold Platinum
LOGISTICS FOR CAPTURING AN ASTEROID
Launching System Space Stations Detection and Cataloging Approaching an Asteroid Capturing an Asteroid Asteroid Processing Re-entry of Asteroids
Capturing an Asteroid
Approaching an Asteroid
LAUNCHING SYSTEMS
EXISTING SYSTEMS
Non-reusable Losing millions
of $$ Non Modular Dead Weight No Inflatable
Heat Shield
FUTURE CONCEPT
Reusable Modular Active Weight Uses Inflatable
Heat Shields
Inflatable Heat Shield
Modular Re-Usable Rocket
Concept
SPACE STATION
Orbital Space Stations can be positioned at LEO, MEO, GEO, & lunar orbit
Functions includes: Preparation for Rocket Re-entry Storage of Fuel, Food, Materials, Spacecraft
etc. Repairing or upgrading existing satellites Processing Asteroids Living Quarters for Astronauts
Structure includes many docking pads
Space Station
DETECTION & CATALOG
Lasers will be used to sweep a wide area in Earth’s proximity to detect both small and large size asteroids
Every asteroid detected will be cataloged and its composition determined
The system must be capable of detecting a threatening asteroids months and years in advance
DETECTION, CATALOGING, & COMPOSITION
1 LD = 238,900 miles 1km/s = 2,237 mph http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/
Iron
Cobalt
Iridium
APPROACHING AN ASTEROID
Determine the orbit of approach of the capturing spacecraft by a navigation team
Determine the speed of the asteroid and match the speed of the spacecraft for approach
Spacecraft must be equipped with fuel tanks to supply sufficient fuel for the round trip
LOGISTICS CAPTURING AN ASTEROID
Spacecraft is equipped with RS-25 engine because of their reusable reputation
Spacecraft has ion engine as alternate engine
Two fuel reservoirs for the RS-25 RS-25 engine has 400,000 lbf thrust Fixing the asteroid with drill bits,
magnets, gravity attraction, or bag-net
RS-25
Fuel Reservoirs Solar Panels
Directional Thrusters
Robotic Capture Arms
PROCESSING ASTEROIDS
Processing of asteroids will occur at the Lunar orbit
Space station infrastructure will include an asteroid processing plant
Asteroids will be prepared for re-entry at the lunar orbit
Build a manufacture plant to separate the different elements of the asteroid
GEO space station infrastructure will include fuel station for asteroid capturing spacecraft
RE-ENTRY OF ASTEROIDS
Inflatable Heat Shield
Captured Asteroid
Asteroid Restraints and Foam
Rocket Module
Sketch of An Asteroid Re-entry
Asteroids will be fixed and restrained in a chamber in the module
Thermal Protection Systems will be fixed onto the module
Parachutes will be fixed to the module for landing
Recovery and Emergency Crews will prepare on earth soil for recovery
CONCLUSION
We established a business model for capturing asteroids
We proposed a model for reusable modular rocket system
Fuel is at the heart of making this enterprise successful
We proposed a model to match the speed of the asteroid
We can land an asteroid on earth safely
QUESTION?Is everybody ready for the new Gold Rush?!