Optics and structure for space applications

A method for mining of a target located in space to extract volatiles as gases comprising the steps of:

• providing a system for mining the target, the system comprising:
• a thin-film inflatable bag configured to contain the target;
• a set of optical elements configured to:
• (i) collect or focus solar power and direct the solar power toward the target, and (ii) direct thermal energy derived from the solar power on the surface of the target;
• and
• a container for storing volatile gases at low pressure;
• positioning the mining system in heliocentric, geocentric, lunar or planetary orbit;
• restraining a target within the system;
• impinging the surface of the target with directed power through the set of optical elements;
• concentrating the directed power onto a portion of the surface of the target with a focused power density sufficient to spall or ablate the surface;
• excavating the surface of the target by spalling or ablation while also liberating water vapor and/or other volatile gases;
• restraining excavated debris in the thin-film inflatable bag;
• capturing outgassed volatile gases and containing the gases;
• transferring the evolved gases;
• removing excavated debris from the target to expose fresh target surface to optical thermal energy;
• and
• excavating another thin layer of the target to continue mining the target and repeating these steps until the target is exhausted of volatiles.