Group 3 report

This report presents the design of an orbital refinery and depot station that can be utilized in the anticipated space mining industry.

This design utilizes a self-sufficient refinery and automated and remote systems run by solar power. In this design, the objectives of

cost, power, and assembly were met. This design has many uses, as the refinery section can be redesigned during manufacturing,

allowing for different refining processes given the situation. The design in this report mines and refines iron ore into steel.

MAE 184 LAB

March 27, 2016

Introduction

Our group was tasked with designing a scaled model of a possible station which provides facilities to receive, store, perform initial processing/refining, and shipment of celestial resources. This will include the process to transfer resources from a source, the refining process, and the infrastructure of the station, and potential celestial bodies that could be utilized by the station for resources.

Design Process

Our design process for this model had to be based off of three main criteria: keep the cost as low as possible, find a way of getting power, and make the assembly easy. We want to build the station as cheap as possible with the most durable materials for longevity. To help with the cost we decided that solar panels would be the best way of retrieving power to help operate our station. Finally, the ease of assembly was crucial for the construction of the station. The station needed to be able to be assembled in space piece by piece without much difficulty (like the ISS).

Alternate Design Options

There were two other alternate designs. One of them did not fit the three main criteria for the model. The other two models were combined to make the model we have now so that all of the three criteria would be met.

Design Features

● Initial processing○ Ore Storage○ Pretreater○ Refiner○ Resource Storage○ Waste Storage

● External Pressurizing System for Transport Shuttles● Artificial Gravity Refinery● Automated

○ Tele-robotic system○ Photo display and retransmission system

● Solar Panels● Reaction control system ● Detachable automated vehicle for mining● Nodes for storage and electricity● Transmitter

David Schmitt, Gabriel Arguelles, Lucas Lin/Syracuse University/MAE 184/27 Mar 16

Manufacturing Strategy

For the scale model, an exploded view will be used to represent how each part’s design characteristics and how the station will be put together. This exploded view will translate to how the station will be assembled piece by piece in space. The model will be 3D printed using plastic printers.

Mission Strategy

The station will be assembled and deployed in orbit around the objective celestial body. An automated shuttle will undock and mine resources from the body, and return with the cargo. The shuttle will dock on the refinery and unload its cargo, then mine as needed. The refinery will store refined materials and jettison waste to reduce load and increase storage capacity. A transport shuttle will retrieve the refined materials and bring them to earth or another station for use. The station can be disassembled for relocation after the celestial body’s resources are exhausted.

Reasons to be Funded

● Cost efficiency:○ Ease of assembly and transportation makes deploying and recovering the station feasible.○ Parts can be assembled by different contractors, allowing different investment strategies. ○ High resource yield from ferry strategy, station will remain in orbit while smaller

transport ships will carry the cargo.○ Artificial Gravity Refinery will reduce the need for designing new refinery technologies,

instead using technology based off earth’s gravity.● Simplicity of overarching design:

○ Simple plug-and-play parts of model will be reflected in the actual station.○ Ease of assembly allows for the station to be assemble and disassembled in orbit instead

of launching from earth, similar to the ISS.● Automated:

○ Unmanned reduces risk.○ Allows for remote operation from earth or transportation crew.○ No need for permanent life support systems including internal oxygen and nutrition

sources.

David Schmitt, Gabriel Arguelles, Lucas Lin/Syracuse University/MAE 184/27 Mar 16

Station Assembly

Refinery Structure

Central Computer

Front Storage

Refinery Center

Refinery

Solar Power Converter

Exhaust Port

Shuttle

Solar Panel

Works Cited

"Asteroid Mining | Deep Space Industries." Deep Space Industries. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar.

2016.

David, Leonard. Yahoo! News. Yahoo!, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

"Iron Ore Processing for the Blast Furnace." (n.d.): n. pag. Steel.org. AISI. Web. 26 Mar. 2016.

"Mining in Space." Mining in Space. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

"New Asteroid-Mining Company Aims to Spur Space Settlement." Space.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

24 Mar. 2016.

PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

"Performance Chemicals North America Markets Mining and Mineral Processing." Performance

Chemicals North America Markets Mining and Mineral Processing. N.p., n.d. Web. 24

Mar. 2016.

"Project Apollo - NASSP." Reaction Control System (CSM). N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

Scott, Willie. "Iron Ore Smelting Process." Brighthub Engineering. Brighthub Engineering, 13Mar. 2010. Web. 27 Mar. 2016.

David Schmitt, Gabriel Arguelles, Lucas Lin/Syracuse University/MAE 184/27 Mar 16