xTrac - Planetoid Mines

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A skeletal outline of (2) xTrac's is presented. Planetoid Mines has engineered xTrac, a counter-rotating barrel drum surface excavator similar to RASSOR, allowing for continuous excavation that integrates excavation and haulage to manage dust. Lunar regolith is excavated by twisted spring-loaded scoops compiling minerals inward onto a bucket chain conveyor capable of lifting 21 liters per cycle and dumping the minerals into a covered bin for processing. Fourteen (14) 1.5 Liter buckets on a chain conveyor scoop up piles of regolith from dual 360mm wide barrel drums with twisted scoops that compile mineral particles into the center. The system is composed of space-qualified 15-5PH H1025 stainless steel, and is powered by two high-torque electrical motors. Two xTrac in parallel opposite counter the excavation force capable of excavating 42 L/cm3 per cycle in continuous operation. A model has been created and simulated in COMSOL and MATLAB. A low-tech prototype was constructed and tested using ilmenite soil. Capable of completing a maximum of 4 revolutions per minute, excavating an average of 168 L/minute. The next step is the acquisition of high-quality materials and fabrication of a production model for test and evaluation.