Our DeTA (Deployable Toroidal Array) invention has now been lodged with the Australian Patent Office as a provisional patent, which means we can finally talk about the invention, and explain how we’ll be using it to address the twin challenges of spin gravity research and space debris.
First of all, here’s a look at the simplified, 3D printed DeTA model we’re selling on our Shapeways page:
It’s a very cool desk toy as well as an excellent demonstration of the capabilities of SLS 3D printing, with its 62 individual, interlinked parts that come out of the 3D printer in one print, no assembly required. It also elegantly demonstrates one of the possible mechanisms we can use to move the DeTA between stowed and deployed states. Right now the best way that you can help us move forward is by buying one of these at our shapeways page here.
The patent itself contains more detail, and the drawings below are of a 3D model which is much closer to what we are actually in the process of building. I’ll explain in more detail later, but you’ll notice the stowed state is designed to fit snugly into the curved conical nose cone of a rocket payload bay, while the deployed state has a large relative spin radius, mechanisms needed to control orientation and spin rate, and tubular spokes which will be critical to our plan to deorbit space debris using pellets of dry ice.
Much more to come, so stay tuned!