Published May 22, 2026
| Version 5.7
Technical note
Open
Orbital Methalox Production System (OORU ZBO™) – Version 5.7 — Enabling Sustainable Deep-Space Logistics
Description
Version 5.7 (22 May 2026)
Key Updates:
- Updated all feedstock terminology from “Earth-sourced” to “synthetically produced / engineered CO₂ clathrate hydrate” to clearly reflect the industrial CO₂ sequestration and abatement nature of the feedstock.
- Made the overall system fully launcher-agnostic by removing references to any specific launch provider or site.
- Added Appendix 7: Due Diligence on strategic partners and potential customers (AstroForge assessment).
Core Concept OORU ZBO™ enables on-orbit production of methalox propellant by processing synthetically produced CO₂ clathrate hydrate feedstock in generic LEO depots. The system significantly reduces required Earth launches while providing self-bootstrapping power, near-zero boil-off storage, and carbon credit generation.
Files
OORU_ZBO_White_Paper_v5_7_Public.pdf
Additional details
Additional titles
- Subtitle (English)
- On-Orbit Resource Utilization with Microwave-Enhanced Zero Boil-Off Methalox Production
Related works
- Is described by
- Patent: AU 2025904457 (Other)
- Patent: AU 2026900397 (Other)
- Report: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp (URL)
- Is supplemented by
- Technical note: 10.5281/zenodo.20361379 (DOI)
Dates
- Updated
-
2026-05-22
- Accepted
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2026-05-13
References
- De Oliveira Souza, M. (2026). Using asteroid early orbital data for rapid Mars missions. Acta Astronautica, 246, 354–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2026.04.018
- NSTM-3, National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power. White House OSTP, 14 April 2026. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp
- Starcloud, Inc. (2024–2026). Data Centers in Space. Retrieved from https://www.starcloud.com/wp