Spacecraft-based deployable solar concentrator for gasifying cryogenic liquids

A system for gasifying a cryogenic fluid in a space vehicle using solar energy, the system comprising:

• a first storage tank to contain the cryogenic fluid;
• a second storage tank to contain gas produced from the cryogenic fluid;
• a heat exchanger;
• tubing configured to carry the cryogenic fluid from the first storage tank, through the heat exchanger, and to the second storage tank;
• a reflective solar collector located external to the space vehicle;
• and
• a conduit positioned along a focal line of the reflective solar collector and configured for circulating a heat transfer fluid through the heat exchanger, which is configured to convey heat from the heat transfer fluid to the cryogenic fluid in the tubing.

A method for gasifying a cryogenic fluid in a space vehicle using solar energy, the method comprising:

• collecting solar heat from a reflective solar collector into a heat transfer fluid in a conduit that is in a focal region of the reflective solar collector, wherein the reflective solar collector and the conduit are located external to the space vehicle;
• circulating the heat transfer fluid through a heat exchanger in the space vehicle;
• drawing the cryogenic fluid from a storage tank into the heat exchanger;
• allowing the heat exchanger to heat the cryogenic fluid using the solar heat in the heat transfer fluid;
• and
• storing a gas resulting from the heating of the cryogenic fluid.