# US 11,111,035 B2 · Method of forming a space-borne body > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,111,035 B2 - Document ID: US11111035B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/000,268 - Filed: 2018-06-05 - Published: 2019-01-24 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-21 - Applicants: Trevor Brown - Inventors: Trevor Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111035B2 ## CPC - B64G 1/1007: {Communications satellites} - B64G 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - B64G 1/242: {Orbits and trajectories} - B64G 1/34: using gravity gradient - B64G 1/407: {Solar sailing} - B64G 7/00: Simulating cosmonautic conditions, e.g. for conditioning crews - B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR ## Abstract Artificially directing a plurality of space-borne natural bodies to a target accretion region, such that gravitational forces amongst the plurality of space-borne natural bodies within the target accretion region produces an agglomerated space-borne body comprised of at least portions of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies. These teachings will accommodate use of a variety of space-borne natural bodies including asteroids, comets, and moons. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: artificially directing each of a plurality of space-borne natural bodies to a target accretion region to thereby direct the plurality of space-borne natural bodies into controlled collisions with one another within the target accretion region, such that gravitational forces amongst the plurality of space-borne natural bodies within the target accretion region produces an agglomerated space-borne body comprised of at least portions of the plurality of space borne natural bodies. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies comprises an asteroid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies comprises a comet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies comprises a moon. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein artificially directing each of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies comprises, at least in part, selectively modifying orbital eccentricity and inclination for at least one of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein artificially directing each of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies comprises, at least in part, increasing relative acceleration between at least two of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies towards one another. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein artificially directing each of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies comprises, at least in part, selectively controlling an angle at which at least two of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies collide with one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: fragmenting at least one of the plurality of space-borne natural bodies to form corresponding fragments such that gravitational forces within the target accretion region cause at least some of the fragments to accrete with the agglomerated space-borne body. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: identifying a plurality of candidate space-borne natural bodies; selecting particular ones of the plurality of candidate space-borne natural bodies to direct to the target accretion region based upon at least one selection criterion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the at least one selection criterion comprises at least one of: elemental make up; current relative trajectory; current relative velocity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: applying non-gravitational supplemental force within the target accretion region to further support production of the agglomerated space-borne body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: mining the agglomerated space-borne body to obtain resources; transporting the resources to Earth; using the resources on Earth to manufacture finished items. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: forming a human habitat on the agglomerated space-borne body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: operating a wireless communications node from the agglomerated space-borne body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the wireless communications node supports wireless communications from point to point on the agglomerated space-borne body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the wireless communications node further supports wireless communications between points on the agglomerated space-borne body and points on Earth. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the wireless communications node further supports wireless communications between points on the Earth and other points that are neither on the Earth nor on the agglomerated space-borne body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the points that are neither on the Earth nor on the agglomerated space-borne body include at least one point on a non-Earth planet. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the non-Earth planet is Mars. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein the wireless communications node compatibly supports communications using at least one of Internet Protocol version 4 and Internet Protocol version 6.