Abstract: Solar collectors can provide power for electricity, thermal propulsion, and material processing (e.g., mining asteroids). In one aspect, a rocket propulsion system is configured to produce thrust for a spacecraft and includes: one or more optical elements configured to receive solar energy. The optical elements include: a first window configured to allow energy to enter the rocket propulsion system and form a concentrated energy beam, and a second window positioned to allow the concentrated energy beam to pass to the heat exchanger. The second window is spaced away from the first window to form a pressurized plenum chamber therebetween. The system further includes: a heat exchanger configured to receive the energy and use it to heat and pressurize a propulsion gas, and a rocket nozzle configured to expel the pressurized propulsion gas.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.

Abstract: Solar collectors can provide power for electricity, thermal propulsion, and material processing (e.g., mining asteroids). In one aspect, an apparatus for collecting solar energy and simultaneously protecting against damage from a resulting energy beam includes a solar energy collection system including at least one concentrator and a target configured to use, store, or convert the solar energy, the collection system configured to cause solar energy to focus on the target, at least one sensor configured to detect misalignment of the concentrator by determining that some or all of the collected solar energy is offset from the target, and a safety system configured to redirect the energy or interpose a safety structure for shielding other non-target systems from receiving too much solar energy from the collection system.

Abstract: Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for directing radiant energy to permanently shadowed or occasionally shadowed regions such as on the floors of craters or in valleys in lunar polar regions to provide illumination, thermal power, electricity, communications, and other services. Embodiments of the systems include reflector elements to provide diffuse illumination, focused illumination, and thermal power, structures to support the reflectors and other elements, communications devices for varied signal types, and methods for installing the system. The structure can be compactly folded and delivered to be automatically installed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.

Abstract: A transportation network for providing propellant in space can include optical mining vehicles that concentrate solar energy to spall captured asteroids, capture released volatiles, and store them in reservoirs as propellants. The network can also have orbital transfer vehicles that use solar thermal rocket modules that focus solar energy on heat exchangers to force propellant through nozzles, as well as separable aeromaneuvering tanker modules with reusable heatshields and storage tanks. The network can have propellant depots positioned between Earth and a transport destination. The depots can mechanically couple to accept propellant delivery and to supply it to visiting space vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for directing radiant energy to permanently shadowed or occasionally shadowed regions such as on the floors of craters or in valleys in lunar polar regions to provide illumination, thermal power, electricity, communications, and other services. Embodiments of the systems include reflector elements to provide diffuse illumination, focused illumination, and thermal power, structures to support the reflectors and other elements, communications devices for varied signal types, and methods for installing the system. The structure can be compactly folded and delivered to be automatically installed.

Abstract: A transportation network for providing propellant in space can include optical mining vehicles that concentrate solar energy to spall captured asteroids, capture released volatiles, and store them in reservoirs as propellants. The network can also have orbital transfer vehicles that use solar thermal rocket modules that focus solar energy on heat exchangers to force propellant through nozzles, as well as separable aeromaneuvering tanker modules with reusable heatshields and storage tanks. The network can have propellant depots positioned between Earth and a transport destination. The depots can mechanically couple to accept propellant delivery and to supply it to visiting space vehicles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.

Abstract: A system and method for processing, storage, distribution, and interaction with electronic images created or captured by mobile devices having network communications capabilities, such as smartphones, allows a user whose image-displaying device includes enhanced viewer software to use an image displayed on the image-displaying device as a portal for communication with others who have interacted with the image, including authors and facilitators of the image. Watermarking and security measures are provided to enable source and content verification of a displayed image so that user morphing of imagery can be tracked to maintain stability of image-based interaction and so that malicious imagery tamper can be prevented.

Abstract: A method, system, and processor-executable software for processing images or video captured by a smartphone or other digital image capture device for subsequent validation and authentication captures not only the image, but also metadata relevant to the authenticity of validity of the image, such as position, time, camera movement and orientation, image parameters, and so forth. The image is watermarked and both the watermarked image and the metadata, as well as a symmetric key used in the watermarking, are digitally signed and transmitted or uploaded to a web server or authentication centric entity for authentication and storage. When a third party submits an image to the web server or authentication centric entity, the submitted image is compared with the stored watermarked image for authentication and validation of the submitted image, and the metadata is then retrieved to enable analysis of the contents of authenticated and validated image.

Abstract: A method, system, and processor-executable software for processing images or video captured by a smartphone or other digital image capture device for subsequent validation and authentication captures not only the image, but also metadata relevant to the authenticity of validity of the image, such as position, time, camera movement and orientation, image parameters, and so forth. The image is watermarked and both the watermarked image and the metadata, as well as a symmetric key used in the watermarking, are digitally signed and transmitted or uploaded to a web server or authentication centric entity for authentication and storage. When a third party submits an image to the web server or authentication centric entity, the submitted image is compared with the stored watermarked image for authentication and validation of the submitted image, and the metadata is then retrieved to enable analysis of the contents of authenticated and validated image.

Abstract: A system and method for processing, storage, distribution, and interaction with electronic images created or captured by mobile devices having network communications capabilities, such as smartphones, allows a user whose image-displaying device includes enhanced viewer software to use an image displayed on the image-displaying device as a portal for communication with others who have interacted with the image, including authors and facilitators of the image. Watermarking and security measures are provided to enable source and content verification of a displayed image so that user morphing of imagery can be tracked to maintain stability of image-based interaction and so that malicious imagery tamper can be prevented.

Abstract: A system and method for processing, storage, distribution, and interaction with electronic images created or captured by mobile devices having network communications capabilities, such as smartphones, allows a user whose image-displaying device includes enhanced viewer software to use an image displayed on the image-displaying device as a portal for communication with others who have interacted with the image, including authors and facilitators of the image. Watermarking and security measures are provided to enable source and content verification of a displayed image so that user morphing of imagery can be tracked to maintain stability of image-based interaction and so that malicious imagery tamper can be prevented.

Abstract: A method, system, and processor-executable software for processing images or video captured by a smartphone or other digital image capture device for subsequent validation and authentication captures not only the image, but also metadata relevant to the authenticity of validity of the image, such as position, time, camera movement and orientation, image parameters, and so forth. The image is watermarked and both the watermarked image and the metadata, as well as a symmetric key used in the watermarking, are digitally signed and transmitted or uploaded to a web server or authentication centric entity for authentication and storage. When a third party submits an image to the web server or authentication centric entity, the submitted image is compared with the stored watermarked image for authentication and validation of the submitted image, and the metadata is then retrieved to enable analysis of the contents of authenticated and validated image.

Abstract: A method, system, and processor-executable software for processing images or video captured by a smartphone or other digital image capture device for subsequent validation and authentication captures not only the image, but also metadata relevant to the authenticity of validity of the image, such as position, time, camera movement and orientation, image parameters, and so forth. The image is watermarked and both the watermarked image and the metadata, as well as a symmetric key used in the watermarking, are digitally signed and transmitted or uploaded to a web server or authentication centric entity for authentication and storage. When a third party submits an image to the web server or authentication centric entity, the submitted image is compared with the stored watermarked image for authentication and validation of the submitted image, and the metadata is then retrieved to enable analysis of the contents of authenticated and validated image.

Abstract: A method, system, and processor-executable software for processing images or video captured by a smartphone or other digital image capture device for subsequent validation and authentication captures not only the image, but also metadata relevant to the authenticity of validity of the image, such as position, time, camera movement and orientation, image parameters, and so forth. The image is watermarked and both the watermarked image and the metadata, as well as a symmetric key used in the watermarking, are digitally signed and transmitted or uploaded to a web server or authentication centric entity for authentication and storage. When a third party submits an image to the web server or authentication centric entity, the submitted image is compared with the stored watermarked image for authentication and validation of the submitted image, and the metadata is then retrieved to enable analysis of the contents of authenticated and validated image.

Abstract: A system and method for processing, storage, distribution, and interaction with electronic images created or captured by mobile devices having network communications capabilities, such as smartphones, allows a user whose image-displaying device includes enhanced viewer software to use an image displayed on the image-displaying device as a portal for communication with others who have interacted with the image, including authors and facilitators of the image. Watermarking and security measures are provided to enable source and content verification of a displayed image so that user morphing of imagery can be tracked to maintain stability of image-based interaction and so that malicious imagery tamper can be prevented.

Abstract: A method, system, and processor-executable software for processing images or video captured by a smartphone or other digital image capture device for subsequent validation and authentication captures not only the image, but also metadata relevant to the authenticity of validity of the image, such as position, time, camera movement and orientation, image parameters, and so forth. The image is watermarked and both the watermarked image and the metadata, as well as a symmetric key used in the watermarking, are digitally signed and transmitted or uploaded to a web server or authentication centric entity for authentication and storage. When a third party submits an image to the web server or authentication centric entity, the submitted image is compared with the stored watermarked image for authentication and validation of the submitted image, and the metadata is then retrieved to enable analysis of the contents of authenticated and validated image.