Briggs Aerospace Technologies
 

Cargo and landing pods

To make space missions easier and less expensive, Briggs has designed the cargo pod system which integrates with the J2000 HYT. There are several types of cargo and landing supply pods designed to fit into HYTs payload bay. 

It is seen the cargo pod and its derived landing pod design will revolutionise space exploration: what the pod system allows is a deployment of a payload during everyday missions.

Cargo pods

Two types of the simple cargo pod - which are built expressly for the storage of goods - will be made. One uses all of HYTs payload bay, and the other uses only half the bay. Both pods take advantage of missions where there is only a small payload on board, enabling the missions to have a dual purpose: the mission, and deploying stores in orbit for future flights.

This system uses pods to act as a type of acorn to squirrels; the pods are the nuts which are stored in space, for future use. The storage pod was created to permit infrastructure items such as fuel, food, machinery, equipment and water in space for future missions, in a safe and inexpensive way. J2000s will also be able to fuel pods in orbit using left over rocket fuel.

J2000 missions will be much more frequent than present space flights, due to the reduced expense and availability of the 15 HYT's.

Docking system

The design of the pods is integrated with an easy docking system. It uses a simple girder frame from the sides and length-wise, enabling large storage ability, in a known place in orbit. The HYT simply rendezvous with the storage area, and the pod is attached to the frame with others from prior missions. The girders can be linked, enabling the storage area to grow to any size. Fuel pods will be able to be linked to maximise convenience to missions.

Pods can carry water, fuel, spare parts, tools, research and test equipment or machinery for following missions. The cargo pods will be stored together in orbit at relay stations, with inventoried payloads. This means when the time comes the pods can be taken to another location for exploration missions, colonisation, or to top up fuel for missions in progress at that time. The pods can be taken - camel train style - to any location in the galaxy.

By providing fuel in orbit takes away any concerns of attaining escape velocity, since the fuel which can be used is limited only by that which is in orbit.

Unmanned Deployment Pod

Space missions require everything to sustain life be taken along, transported from Earth orbit to the Moon or Martian orbits, and left for future missions in a deposit zone. Part of the J2000 programme is the completion of an integral landing craft, based on the cargo pod, able to be transported internally by HYT and deployed on space missions when required.

This lander pod is a non-reusable unmanned re-supply craft delivering up to 15 tonnes of payload for deployments to build and supply colonies. These craft will be able to deploy payloads on all the solar systems planets apart from Jupiter, including large unmanned exploration craft.

Unmanned supply systems reduce hazards to astronauts and lower initial and ongoing spending requirements. These craft reduce mission costs to investors by enabling the mass transit of bulk supplies at low cost. The use of unmanned landing vehicles reduces the risks involved to the crews, and by lowering any dangers makes missions more viable.

When sufficient material is landed, people can establish a base, either a research lab or colony, with landing pods used for resupply. The interiors could be easily used as accommodation facilities; either converted, on-site, or ready-made on Earth and transported to any location in the solar system.

Relay craft

Briggs is exploring the possibility of extending the life of finite satellites by offering a refuelling service. 

This could be done by a smaller pod-based or derived spacecraft, outfitted for resupply duties. The craft could be crewed by a small team of astronauts, ferrying fuel and supplies to satellites for service work. Alternatively, this system may use a version of the escape-vehicle designed for the J2000.


 
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