Abstract: A system to perform multi-stage cleaning of material from a space suit worn by an astronaut in a deep space environment includes one or more discharge units installed external to an interior volume of a facility in the deep space environment. Each of the one or more discharge units releases one or more substances. The one or more substances includes water or air and the interior volume of the facility is defined by an interior hatch that is separated from an exterior hatch leading to the deep space environment by an airlock. One or more collection units installed external to the interior volume. Each collection unit traps released material that is released from a space suit based on the multi-stage cleaning to prevent the released material from entering the interior volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods to remove dust from an extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) worn by an astronaut in a deep space environment involve one or more ionic shower units installed external to an interior volume of a facility. Each ionic shower unit releases positively charged ions and negatively charged ions in a specified direction to neutralize the dust and generate neutralized dust. The interior volume of the facility is defined by an interior hatch that is separated from an exterior hatch by an airlock. One or more collection units is installed external to the interior volume. Each collection unit traps the neutralized dust to prevent the dust from entering the interior volume.

Abstract: A space explorer rescue system including: a stretcher including: a first support pole; a second support pole, the first support pole and the second support pole each being configured to be extended from a retracted position to a deployed position; and a body support extending between the first support pole and the second support pole; and at least one wheel attached or removably attached to the stretcher.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation system includes a solar panel array on a first side of a tower to absorb solar radiation and generate electrical energy and waste heat and a panel on a second side, opposite the first side, of the tower. A plurality of thermoelectric elements of the tower are interposed between the solar panel array and the panel. The plurality of thermoelectric elements converts conductive heat flow of the waste heat from the solar panel directed toward the panel to electrical energy. A conductive base supports the tower and to conduct heat away from the panel.

Abstract: A system for use on a planetary surface includes ridges arranged parallel to each other. The ridges support a weight of an extraterrestrial vehicle rolling over the ridges. The system also includes a base to maintain a relative position of the ridges to each other and a controller to control one or more of the ridges to vibrate.

Abstract: An airlock for an extraplanetary environment includes an enclosed volume, an interior hatch separating the enclosed volume from a pressurized space, and an exterior hatch separating the enclosed volume from an external environment. The enclosed volume is selectably variable to reduce a mass of resources, lost into the external environment from the enclosed volume. A method of assembling an airlock for an extraplanetary environment includes defining an enclosed volume, positioning an interior hatch at the enclosed volume separating the enclosed volume from a pressurized space, and positioning an exterior hatch at the enclosed volume separating the enclosed volume from an external environment. The enclosed volume is selectably variable to reduce a mass of resources lost into the external environment from the enclosed volume.

Abstract: An equipment cleaning apparatus for an extraplanetary environment includes a cleaner vessel positioned at an exterior of an extraplanetary habitat, and an exterior hatch located outside of the extraplanetary habitat and allowing access to an interior of the cleaner vessel. The cleaning apparatus is operable in one or more cleaning cycles to clean equipment located in the cleaner vessel. A method of cleaning equipment in an extraplanetary environment includes providing a cleaner vessel at an extraplanetary habitat, placing one or more articles of equipment into an interior of the cleaner vessel through an exterior hatch located outside of the extraplanetary habitat, closing the exterior hatch, and operating one or more cleaning cycles on the equipment in the cleaner vessel.

Abstract: An exoskeleton system includes an exoskeleton securable to a user, and a control system operably connected to the exoskeleton. The control system is configured to selectably operate the exoskeleton in two or more preconfigured operating modes. A method of operating an exoskeleton includes an exoskeleton securable to a user, and selecting one of two or more preconfigured operating modes of the exoskeleton via user input to a control system operably connected to the exoskeleton.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation system includes a solar panel array on a first side of a tower to absorb solar radiation and generate electrical energy and waste heat and a panel on a second side, opposite the first side, of the tower. A plurality of thermoelectric elements of the tower are interposed between the solar panel array and the panel. The plurality of thermoelectric elements converts conductive heat flow of the waste heat from the solar panel directed toward the panel to electrical energy. A conductive base supports the tower and to conduct heat away from the panel.

Abstract: A sublimation generator including a sublimation tank configured to receive ice including at least carbon dioxide. The sublimation generator also includes a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the sublimation tank. The first heat exchanger being configured to expel heat from a coolant into the sublimation tank to sublimate the carbon dioxide into a gaseous state. The sublimation generator also includes a gas turbine generator fluidly connected to the sublimation tank and configured to receive the carbon dioxide in the gaseous state.

Abstract: A sublimation generator including a sublimation tank configured to receive ice including at least carbon dioxide. The sublimation generator also includes a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the sublimation tank. The first heat exchanger being configured to expel heat from a coolant into the sublimation tank to sublimate the carbon dioxide into a gaseous state. The sublimation generator also includes a gas turbine generator fluidly connected to the sublimation tank and configured to receive the carbon dioxide in the gaseous state.

Abstract: Modular armor for a hard upper torso (HUT) of an atmospheric suit that maintains a specific atmosphere within the suit includes a first outer layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a second outer layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A core is sandwiched between the first surface of the first outer layer and the first surface of the second outer layer. The armor is fabricated such that the second surface of the first outer layer is conformally affixed to the HUT.

Abstract: A system to perform multi-stage cleaning of material from a space suit worn by an astronaut in a deep space environment includes one or more discharge units installed external to an interior volume of a facility in the deep space environment. Each of the one or more discharge units releases one or more substances. The one or more substances includes water or air and the interior volume of the facility is defined by an interior hatch that is separated from an exterior hatch leading to the deep space environment by an airlock. One or more collection units installed external to the interior volume. Each collection unit traps released material that is released from a space suit based on the multi-stage cleaning to prevent the released material from entering the interior volume.

Abstract: An extraplanetary habitat system includes a habitat located on a site including a layer of regolith material and one or more heat-generating systems located in the habitat. A heat exchanger is operably connected to the habitat. The heat exchanger is located beneath the layer of regolith material and is configured to conduct the heat from the habitat into the layer of regolith material. A method of cooling one or more heat generating components of an extraplanetary habitat includes directing a flow of fluid from the habitat to a heat exchanger located beneath a layer of regolith material, exchanging thermal energy between the flow of fluid and the regolith material, thereby cooling the volume of fluid, and directing the flow of fluid from the heat exchanger to the habitat, thus cooling the habitat.

Abstract: Systems and methods to remove dust from an extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) worn by an astronaut in a deep space environment involve one or more ionic shower units installed external to an interior volume of a facility. Each ionic shower unit releases positively charged ions and negatively charged ions in a specified direction to neutralize the dust and generate neutralized dust. The interior volume of the facility is defined by an interior hatch that is separated from an exterior hatch by an airlock. One or more collection units is installed external to the interior volume. Each collection unit traps the neutralized dust to prevent the dust from entering the interior volume.