Space Probe Resource Acquisition and Storage System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current exploration methods for satellites, minor planets, or planets are limited to photographing their surfaces and have not effectively explored or utilized natural resources such as water.

Innovation Solution

An exploration method that includes detecting natural resources, acquiring them through appropriate means such as vapor collection from evaporating ice, and storing them for later use, utilizing a system comprising a detection unit, an acquisition unit, and a storage unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If only photographing methods are used for exploration, then the exploration method is simple, but the utilization of natural resources is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of exploration methodVSAvoideffectiveness of natural resource exploration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated exploration system that performs both observation (photography) and resource acquisition (collection and storage) operations, transforming the separate functions into a unified system that achieves both simplicity and effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The exploration system is designed to perform multiple functions including resource detection, collection, and storage within a single system framework, enabling the system to handle various exploration tasks without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If natural resources are collected and stored on celestial bodies, then resource utilization efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of exploration system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exploration system is divided into distinct functional modules: a detection unit for identifying resources, an acquisition unit for collecting resources, and a storage unit for preserving resources. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to autonomously perform the complete resource management cycle including detection, collection, and storage without requiring continuous external intervention, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining high resource utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables the effective storage and potential use of natural resources like water on celestial bodies, enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of exploration activities.

Implementation Method 1

the water is acquired by collecting vapor obtained by evaporating ice included in soil or a rock

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS12325539B2Exploration method, exploration system, space probe, hydrogen supply method, and image processing method

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 ISPACE INC

AI summary

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.