Orbital Scoop SVG Set

Standalone schematic SVG diagrams generated for atmospheric scoop architecture concepts.

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ToughSF References

Original ToughSF post: Low Earth Orbit Atmospheric Scoops

Legend

Visual key for the schematic conventions used across the set.

Source: original legend / no external source

00_legend.svg

Single-body continuous scoop

Baseline PROFAC-style scoopcraft: one low vehicle collects while thrust continuously offsets drag.

Source: Demetriades PROFAC (1960); VLEO propellant collection feasibility

01_single_body_continuous_scoop.svg

Two-tier tethered trawler

ToughSF’s trawler split: a hot low collector feeds a higher safer main station through a tethered link.

Source: VLEO propellant collection feasibility; LEO propellant collection review

02_two_tier_tethered_trawler.svg

Elliptical diver

ToughSF’s diver shows apogee-side recovery thrust, but thrust that changes the low point of the orbit should be applied near perigee instead.

Source: VLEO propellant collection feasibility; LEO propellant collection review

03_elliptical_diver_single_vehicle.svg

Diver + mothership

Derived hybrid: a diver makes the hot pass, but its period differs from the mothership unless it waits for later rendezvous or uses aerodynamic control.

Source: PROFAC precedent; PHARO abstract; LEO propellant collection review

04_diver_plus_mothership.svg

Collector-to-depot cycle

PHARO-like cycle: collect low, receive power from the high system, transfer loaded to a depot, offload, then return empty.

Source: PHARO abstract (2010); LEO propellant collection review

05_collector_to_depot_cycle.svg

PROFAC-style split

PROFAC split: a low collector transfers propellant to a passing outbound spacecraft rather than to a standing depot orbit.

Source: Demetriades PROFAC (1960); PHARO comparison point

06_profac_split_vehicle.svg

Electrodynamic tether assist

A tether-assisted scoop uses Lorentz thrust to counter drag instead of spending onboard propellant.

Source: Electrodynamic tether propulsion; technical paper; TSS lessons learned; Prox-1 demo

07_electrodynamic_tether_assist.svg

Beamed-power scoop

Derived remote-power variant: a high station beams energy to a low draggy collector.

Source: PHARO abstract

08_beamed_power_scoop.svg

High-altitude electric scoop

An electric scoop gathers ionospheric particles with a large electromagnetic capture area rather than a big funnel.

Source: Andreussi et al. ABEP review; ABEP intake / RF helicon thruster intake; ESA ABEP demo

09_high_altitude_electric_scoop.svg

Distributed collectors + central depot

Derived depot network: many small collectors transfer to one shared higher depot.

Source: PHARO abstract; LEO propellant collection review

10_distributed_collectors_central_depot.svg

Acronyms And Architecture

PROFAC means Propulsive Fluid Accumulator: the older Demetriades concept in which a low atmospheric collector acts more like a self-filling orbital fuel station and can directly support a separate mission vehicle.

PHARO means Propellant Harvesting of Atmospheric Resources in Orbit: the later depot-oriented concept in which collector craft harvest low, then transfer propellant into a higher logistics and storage system.

Orbital design difference: PROFAC is closer to a low collector or collector-plus-space-vehicle arrangement, while PHARO is closer to a collector fleet plus higher depot architecture with externalized power and logistics.

Power difference: PROFAC is historically tied to onboard nuclear or plasma-power assumptions, while PHARO shifts the burden toward orbital infrastructure such as beamed power and distributed depot operations.

Original Designs

Deep nitrogen split-scoop

Original nitrogen-driven variant: a deeper hotter collector pass is split from the higher storage infrastructure.

Source: LEO propellant collection review; VLEO propellant collection feasibility; PROFAC precedent

11_deep_nitrogen_split_scoop.svg

Jousters

Original concept: two craft run the same ellipse in opposite directions and exchange push-off impulses at perigee and apogee.

Source: original legend / no external source

12_jousters.svg