SBIR/STTR Award attributes
The objective of Phase I is to mature RocketM prototype hardware designs through two iterations of excavation tests which will demonstrate the effectiveness of the systems icy regolith excavation capability. Ice will be harvested from depths beyond 1m and transported out of the mining dome to simulate transfer to the processing portion of the system. Repeated firings of the rocket engine to excavate, break up, and transport the regolith will be performed to demonstrate the low maintenance capabilities and the ability to transport regolith with minimal melting of the ice. The current system design is based on tested heritage systems such as Mastenrsquo;s 100 lbf rocket, PSI tests, Aqua Factorem, PlanetVac, and Lunar Outpost rovers.The RocketM system surpasses the required technical objectives, with the ability to extract 270,000 kg of refined ice in 225 of operation during a calendar year at a rate of 100+ kg/hr. All non-ice particles are sorted and returned to the surface so only ice is included in the delivery to the extraction plant. It can operate in PSRrsquo;s, scale steep slopes and harvest its own energy through ice mining, electrolysis, and fuel cells. It generates its own rocket propellants through electrolysis as well.
