Atmospheric CO2 Propellant Storage for Consistent Mars Hopper Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Mars exploration vehicles face limitations due to the need for heavy propulsion fuel, which increases costs and restricts the range and duration of missions, especially with topographical challenges hindering wheeled vehicles and fuel constraints for flying 'hopper' vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system for recovering and managing atmospheric CO2 as a propellant, utilizing a compressor, storage tanks, and a propulsion system with a main thruster and reaction control thrusters, where CO2 is liquefied, stored, and heated to produce high-pressure gas for consistent thrust and attitude control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If propulsion fuel is taken with the craft from Earth, then the hopper vehicle can perform multiple hops, but the amount of fuel required becomes very heavy and transporting such a large amount of fuel from Earth would be extremely expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper vehicle recovers and stores atmospheric CO2 on Mars itself to use as propellant, rather than transporting fuel from Earth. The system includes a compressor to draw in and compress atmospheric gas, storage tanks for liquefied CO2, and a heating system to convert it back to high-pressure gas for propulsion. This self-service approach eliminates the need to transport heavy fuel from Earth while enabling extended mission duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts propellant material (CO2) directly from the Martian atmosphere using a compressor and condensation system. By taking out the necessary propellant from the local environment rather than bringing it from Earth, the system eliminates the weight penalty of transporting fuel while ensuring adequate propellant supply for multiple hops.
2Ease of manufacture
If a smaller amount of fuel is provided to keep mission costs down, then the hopper vehicle can perform fewer hops, but this significantly limits the range of the vehicle and the useful duration of the exploratory mission
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle equips itself with propellant by recovering CO2 from the Martian atmosphere during the mission. This eliminates the need to pre-load large amounts of fuel from Earth, reducing launch costs while simultaneously enabling extended mission duration through on-demand propellant production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of CO2 from gaseous (in the atmosphere) to liquid (for storage) and back to gaseous (for propulsion) through compression, condensation, and heating processes. This parameter transformation enables efficient storage of large propellant volumes in compact tanks while maintaining the capability for multiple hops.
3Device complexity
If liquefied atmospheric gas is stored in a single tank, then the system is simpler, but the gas pressure becomes inconsistent during discharge affecting thrust stability
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple tanks: a first storage tank for liquefied CO2 and a second storage tank for heated high-pressure CO2 gas. The second tank acts as a buffer that maintains consistent pressure during discharge by separating the liquid storage function from the pressurized discharge function, ensuring stable thrust while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second storage tank pre-heats and pressurizes CO2 before it enters the discharge system. This preliminary action ensures that the gas entering the discharge line is already at the required pressure and temperature, maintaining consistent thrust output without requiring complex real-time pressure regulation during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system allows for efficient and consistent propulsion using locally sourced CO2, reducing fuel transport costs and overcoming topographical limitations, enabling longer-range and more extensive Mars exploration missions.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to draw in and compress atmospheric gas
Implementation Method 2
the second storage tank having a heater operable to heat liquefied atmospheric gas therein to convert it to a high pressure gas
Implementation Method 3
heat liquefied atmospheric gas therein to convert it to a high pressure gas
Implementation Method 4
The control valve in the outlet duct of the second storage tank preferably comprises a Joule-Thomson control valve
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the recovery and management of atmospheric gas is disclosed, such as for use as a vehicle propellant in a vehicle propulsion system. The system can include a compressor configured to compress atmospheric gas and first and second storage tanks configured to store liquefied atmospheric gas from the compressor. The second storage tank can have a heater operable to heat liquefied atmospheric gas therein to convert it to a high pressure gas. The second storage tank includes an outlet duct fluidly coupled to the first storage tank for supplying high pressure gas to the first storage tank.