The Gas Stations in Space Could Store Rocket Fuel for Missions
Rahul Kalvapalle — March 9, 2014 — Tech
References: web.mit.edu & technology.org
Scientists at MIT have come up with bold ideas for a cost-efficient gas station; what’s special about this particular design is that it’s intended for gas stations in space that store rocket fuel for lunar missions.
Currently, lunar missions carry a supply of fuel meant to be used in emergencies. However, this fuel is usually unused and is wasted.
The MIT team proposes that rockets on their way back to earth drop off their unused fuel at the galactic gas depot. This fuel can then be used for future missions heading to the moon. Transferring fuel between the depot and the spacecraft could be done manually by astronauts or by using a robotic arm. Tank-to-tank fuel transfers would be trickier because of the absence of gravity in space.
If this idea comes to fruition, it will not only decrease fuel wastage but also reduce the amount of payload rockets have to devote to carrying fuel, leaving more room for science experiments.
Currently, lunar missions carry a supply of fuel meant to be used in emergencies. However, this fuel is usually unused and is wasted.
The MIT team proposes that rockets on their way back to earth drop off their unused fuel at the galactic gas depot. This fuel can then be used for future missions heading to the moon. Transferring fuel between the depot and the spacecraft could be done manually by astronauts or by using a robotic arm. Tank-to-tank fuel transfers would be trickier because of the absence of gravity in space.
If this idea comes to fruition, it will not only decrease fuel wastage but also reduce the amount of payload rockets have to devote to carrying fuel, leaving more room for science experiments.
Trend Themes
1. Space Gas Stations - The concept of gas stations in space that store rocket fuel for lunar missions.
2. Fuel-saving Technology - Innovative methods to reduce fuel wastage and increase efficiency in space travel.
3. Robotic Fuel Transfer - Developing robotic systems and technologies for transferring fuel between spacecraft and gas stations in space.
Industry Implications
1. Aerospace - The aerospace industry can explore opportunities in designing and building space gas stations for fuel storage and transfer.
2. Robotics - The robotics industry can innovate in creating robotic arms and systems for automated fuel transfer in space.
3. Space Exploration - The space exploration industry can benefit from this innovation by increasing efficiency and reducing payload requirements for lunar missions.
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