VCEPTR| Let's Connect

Let's Connect

For bigger spacecraft capable of executing bigger missions, some of the assembly may be done in space. Your challenge is to design a simple approach that enables components to be assembled in space.

EVTP (Extra-Vehicular Transfer Port)

Summary

The EVTP is a device that provides flexibility and efficiency to the subject of refueling or charging vessel or habitats without needing to touch or dock with each other since it takes a long time. Especially on Mars, if you are in a hurry to refuel a rover, just plug in pressurizing it, and just let the fuel flow into your rover. The efficiency part is that if you have a person standing at a gas station with professional training, he can quickly refuel a rover in emergencies such as dust storms, backup generator refueling, or even refueling rovers stuck with no fuel to escape. The EVTP can also connect with a solar panel with an EVTP port to a habitat or research vessel.

How We Addressed This Challenge

This idea started with us thinking about the most important thing you need to go to outer space, fuel. Without fuel, we cannot power the spacecraft. So we tried to create an effective way of how to transfer resources in all types of terrains in space or planets. Then an idea came up about a transfer port that can connect to the spacecraft to transfer resources without the need of having the vessels close together or transferring resources to multiple vehicles per time. To counter the problem of docking, we used a flexible hose to be able to connect each port in any way or form. the one thing we had in mind is efficiency which can be achieved by transferring item needs in the most efficient and best way as possible.

How We Developed This Project

I have started with seeing a live stream of the supply vessel docking with the ISS which took me around an hour to watch and then I got bored. I thought if I could just lower the amount of time fueling craft I could actually help the industry so that's when I thought of the EVTP.

How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project

https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2017/ps_6.html this could be one of the components in the pump.

Project Demo
Data & Resources

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/rocket/rktstomp.html for the the emergency detachment system.

Judging
This project was submitted for consideration during the Space Apps Judging process.