Patents Assigned to Astrobotic Technology, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20240270411
    Abstract: A pair of interconnected vertical solar arrays at two preselected lunar sites are provided. A cable transmits power between one of the vertical solar arrays and the other vertical solar array, so that one of the vertical solar arrays can send collected energy to other vertical solar array, when the other vertical solar array is not collecting energy, to maintain the temperature of the other vertical solar array. A power storage device receives solar energy from the vertical solar arrays. A charging interface distributes energy to one or more lunar devices on the lunar surface. A landing vehicle has a payload thereon for carrying at least one of the pair of interconnected vertical solar arrays, the cable, the power storage device, and the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: Astrobotic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: JOHN THORNTON, DAN HENDRICKSON, THOMAS OBERST
  • Patent number: 11852016
    Abstract: Mining apparatuses, systems and methods related to the use of a rocket engine's plume and a collection manifold to efficiently displace, collect, process and store frozen volatiles embedded within or below a surface is disclosed. The plume contacts and churns up the surface. The frozen volatiles are displaced and/or evaporated within a closed environment under a collection manifold. The collection manifold has related components for addressing these frozen or gaseous volatiles downstream. Various apparatuses and subsystems are also disclosed including a rover, processing plants, collection manifold, and vapor manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Astrobotic Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Kuhns