Near earth object fuels (neo-fuels): Discovery, prospecting and use

Conference · Tue Aug 25 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:6800248

Zuppero, A C; Jacox, M G

The 1992 discovery of a water-ice, near-Earth object (NEO) in the space near Earth is evaluated as a source of rocket fuel and life support materials for Earth orbit use. Nuclear thermal rockets using steam propellant are evaluated and suggested. The space geological formation containing such water-rich NEO's is described. An architecture couples near-Earth object fuels (neo-fuel) extraction with use in Earth orbits. Preliminary mass payback analyses show that space tanker systems fueled from space can return in excess of 100 times their launched mass from the NEO, per trip. Preliminary cost estimates indicate neo-fuel costs at Earth orbit can be 3 orders of magnitude below today's cost. A suggested resource verification plan is presented.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6800248
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-92057; CONF-9208154--2; ON: DE93005185
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
COMETS
COST ESTIMATION
ENERGY SUPPLIES
EXPLORATION
EXTRACTION
FUEL SUPPLIES
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ICE
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROPELLANTS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ROCKETS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPACE
SPACE VEHICLES
STEAM
VEHICLES
WATER