Spherical Cargo Ball Clusters for Reusable Space Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current space missions face challenges with high costs, environmental impact, and waste from single-use rocket stages, necessitating improved technologies for reusable space cargo vessels that reduce these issues.
Innovation Solution
A spherical cargo ball system with thrusters and a clamping mechanism, launched from a stratospheric aircraft using a superconducting guideway, which can be assembled into clusters for efficient transportation of building materials and cargo to other worlds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rockets with first and second stages are used for space missions, then payload can be transported to space, but the second stage becomes space junk and threatens spacecraft
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo transport system is divided into multiple independent spherical cargo balls that can be assembled into clusters. Each cargo ball is a separate, reusable unit that can be individually launched, attached to the cluster, and recovered, eliminating the need for disposable rocket stages while maintaining payload transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo balls are designed to be recovered and reused after delivering their payload. Unlike traditional rocket stages that are discarded, each cargo ball can be retrieved from orbit or landing sites, refurbished, and relaunched for subsequent missions, thereby eliminating space junk accumulation.
2Loss of energy
If reusable cargo vessels are developed, then costs and environmental impact are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each spherical cargo ball is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple functions: carrying various types of cargo, providing propulsion through onboard thrusters, navigating independently or as part of a cluster, and being recovered and reused. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized vehicles for different missions, thereby managing complexity while achieving reusability and environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo balls feature adjustable and deployable thrusters that can be configured for different propulsion needs. The thruster system can be activated or deactivated based on mission requirements, and the cargo balls can dynamically adjust their propulsion capabilities during flight, allowing a single design to handle diverse mission profiles without excessive complexity.
3Productivity
If cargo balls are assembled into clusters with multiple thrusters, then transportation efficiency to other worlds is improved, but control and guidance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each cargo ball in the cluster is equipped with its own onboard thrusters and navigation capabilities, allowing it to autonomously maneuver, maintain its position within the cluster, and perform docking operations. This self-service capability reduces the burden on central control systems and simplifies the overall control architecture while enabling efficient cluster-based transportation to other worlds.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for smart spherical cluster vessels is described. In one example, a cargo ball assembly includes a plurality of cargo balls attached together to form a cluster, the cargo balls having a spherical exterior surface, a rocket engine cargo ball of the cluster having a plurality of thrusters exposed to an exterior position of the cluster to propel the cluster, and a thruster system to control the rocket engine to guide the cluster.