Hardware Requirements

Specification
for

ExTerra Asteroid Miner

Version 1.2 approved

Prepared by Akila Ganlath

ExTerra Logistics Technologies

08/29/2014

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

Pageii

TableofContents
TableofContents...........................................................................................................................ii
RevisionHistory.............................................................................................................................ii
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5

Purpose..........................................................................................................................................1
DocumentConventions.................................................................................................................1
IntendedAudienceandReadingSuggestions................................................................................1
ProductScope................................................................................................................................1
References.....................................................................................................................................1

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7

ProductPerspective.......................................................................................................................2
ProductFunctions..........................................................................................................................2
UserClassesandCharacteristics...................................................................................................3
OperatingEnvironment.................................................................................................................4
DesignandImplementationConstraints........................................................................................4
UserDocumentation......................................................................................................................5
AssumptionsandDependencies....................................................................................................5

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

UserInterfaces...............................................................................................................................5
HardwareInterfaces.......................................................................................................................5
SoftwareorHardwareInterfaces...................................................................................................5
CommunicationsInterfaces...........................................................................................................5

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5

ProduceIndustrialGradeMaterial................................................................................................5
TransitMode.................................................................................................................................6
MATNetCommunication..............................................................................................................7
BallisticMaterialTransfer.............................................................................................................9
ProduceIndustrialGradeVolatiles..............................................................................................11

5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

PerformanceRequirements..........................................................................................................12
SafetyRequirements....................................................................................................................12
SecurityRequirements.................................................................................................................12
SoftwareorHardwareQualityAttributes....................................................................................12
BusinessRules.............................................................................................................................12

2. OverallDescription..................................................................................................................2

3. ExternalInterfaceRequirements...........................................................................................5

4. SystemFeatures&Functions.................................................................................................5

5. OtherNonfunctionalRequirements.....................................................................................12

6. OtherRequirements..............................................................................................................12
AppendixA:Glossary..................................................................................................................12
AppendixB:AnalysisModels.....................................................................................................12
AppendixC:ToBeDeterminedList..........................................................................................12

RevisionHistory
Name

Date

ReasonForChanges

Version

AkilaGanlath
AkilaGanlath

08/15/14
08/29/14

MakechangesforPersona&Scenario.
FeaturesFunctionschangeandfinalizing.

1.1
1.2

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

1.

Introduction

1.1

Purpose

Page1

ThepurposeofthedocumentistoprovideafunctionaldescriptionoftheExTerraLogistics
Technologies(ELT)AsteroidMiner,Version1.2.

1.2

DocumentConventions

N/A

1.3

IntendedAudienceandReadingSuggestions

N/A

1.4

ProductScope

ThisdescriptionislimitedtothefunctionsandfeaturesofonlytheExTerraAsteroidMiner.The
functionsandfeaturesofintendedlaunchvehicles,complimentaryvehicles,andmaterialexchange
processesarealloutsidethescopeofthisspecification.
TheExTerraAsteroidMinerisanautonomouscapablespacecraftthatisdesignedtolaunchintoa
geostationarytransferorbitaboardexistingheavyliftboosters.Onceorbitalvelocityisachieved,
theAsteroidMinerwilltravelunderitsownpowertotheasteroidbeltbetweentheorbitsofMars
andJupiter.Uponarrivalitwillrendezvouswithtargetplanetesimalsandbeginharvesting
operations.
Collectedvolatiles,ore,organics,andiceswillberefinedintoindustrialgradematerialonboardthe
AsteroidMiner.Thisrefinedmaterialwillalsobeprocessedfurthertoclientspecificationsthrough
lowvolumefabricationtechniques.Refinedmaterialsandfabricatedpartswillbepackagedand
sentonpredeterminedandmonitoredballistictrajectories.Thesetrajectorieswillbeplannedfor
rendezvouswithinEarthMoonsystem.TheAsteroidMinershallalsobecapableofdelivering
refinedmaterialswithinitsstoragebays.
AfleetofAsteroidMinerswillprovideExTerraLogisticsTechnologieswiththerevenueand
physicalassetstoestablishavasteconomicfrontierinthegreaterSolarSystem.

1.5
N/A

References

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

2.

OverallDescription

2.1

ProductPerspective

Page2

TheExTerraAsteroidMineristhefirstofitskind,anautonomousspacecraftcapableofproducing
highqualityrefinedmaterialsfromnaturallyoccurringplanetesimals.Itenablesaccesstolowcost
andreadilyavailablematerialtothecommercialaerospaceandspacetourismindustries;theminer
iscapableofproducingfoodgradewaterandorganicfeedstock,aswellashighstrengthalloysand
compositematerials.Thisfulfillsthelongstandingmarketneedforcheapmaterialwhileforegoing
theexpensesandhazardsassociatedwithsurfacelaunchedmaterialdelivery.
ThematerialabundanceprovidedbyafleetofExTerraAsteroidMinersalsoallowsforbusiness
interestsandgovernmentstomoveforwardwithmassivescalesolarenergyandorbitalmirror
projects.Thesewillhaveanimmediateandprofoundimpactonclimatechangeandcouldbebuilt
usingExTerrasourcedmaterialforasmallfractionofthecostsexpectedwithtraditionalEarth
launchedmaterials.TheAsteroidMineralsorepresentsakeycomponentintheExTerraLogistics
TechnologiesMaterialTransferNetwork,anendeavortoprovideaccesstomaterial,logistics,and
engineeringsolutionsacrosstheSolarSystem.SeefunctionalspecforExTerraTechnologies
RefineryBarge,FuelDepot,andMaterialTransferNetworkforfurtherdetails.

2.2

ProductFunctions

Produceindustrialgradealloys,composites,andplasticsfromcollectedrawmaterial.
SelfpropelledtransitanywherewithinJupiterorbitwithin30days,employingQuantum
FieldThrustertechnology.
CommunicatewithinExTerraMaterialTransferNetwork(MATNet).
Packagerefinedmaterialsforballistictransit.
Producehighpurityoxygen,nitrogen,methane,hydrogen,andothervolatiles.
Grappleandsecuretoplanetesimalsranginginsizeofafewmeterstobeyondakilometer.
DecomposeCtype,Stype,andMtypeasteroids.
Decomposecomets.
Employsurfacemining,magneticrakes,vaporization,andfracturingtechniques.
Producefoodgradeorganicfeedstockandwater.

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

2.3

Page3

UserClassesandCharacteristics

Persona:

HeavyIndustriesExecutive

Photo:

FictionalName:

KojiYamada

Job
Title/Responsibilities:

ProjectDevelopment&ProductionDirector:KawasakiHeavyIndustries
(KHI)
AdvisesBoardofDirectorsonthefeasibilityofprojects.
OverseesDesign,Development,andManufacturingTeams.

Demographics:

Characteristics&
Traits:

42yearsold
Married
Fatherof2daughters
Ph.D.inManufacturingEngineering
M.S.inMechanicalEngineering
M.S.inEconomics

Kojienjoysthechallengeofincorporatinginnovativetechnological
developmentsandprinciplesintolargescaleengineeringprojects.Heis
knownforhisrawintelligence,deepunderstandingofengineeringand
economicprinciples,aswellashisinterestinemergingtechnology.Heis
aconfidantandpersonaladvisortotheCEOofExTerraLogistics
Technologies.TheBoardofDirectorsaswellashisteamleadsknowhim
asTheArchitect.Kojispendstimeeverydayresearchingemerging
technologies.
Outsidetheworkplaceheisknowntoenjoyexploringtheforestsatthe
baseofMt.Fujiwithhisdaughtersandwife.Hehasdemonstratedalove
andadmirationofthenaturalworld.

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

Page4

FollowingthecompletecollapseoftheWesternAntarcticIceshelf,the
UNhasmandatedthattheUnitedStates,Japan,Chinaandothernations
reversetheirproductionofgreenhouseemissionswithin10years.In
ordertopreventfurtherdegradationoftheArcticandAntarcticicecaps
whilemeetingenergydemands,theInternationalConsortiumwasformed.
ThemandateoftheConsortiumistoprovidefundingfordesign,
development,deployment,andmaintenanceoftwomassivespacebased
solarpowerfacilitiestobelocatedoverthepoles,knownasthePolar
Shield.
Thedesignrequirementsare:

Scenario:

Lowmaintenance,orautomatedmaintenance
Deployedandoperationalwithin10years
Provide40%(100GWh)ofConsortiumsdailyenergyneeds
Useexistingtechnology
BepricecompetitivewithNuclearPower
Modularandscalable
Preventsunlightfromreachingicecapbelow

Duetoitsexperienceinspacebasedengineeringanddevelopment,
KawasakiHeavyIndustries(KHI)haswonthebidtodesign,anddirect
thetransferofmaterialandhardwarenecessarytobuildPolarShield
facilitiesovertheArcticCircleandAntarctica.Kojiisintheprocessof
conceptualdesignwithhisteamandtheirownsubordinates.Themost
attractivedesignsarethoseusinghighefficiencyheatenginesasthe
generators.However,whilewellunderstoodandeasytofabricate,heat
enginesarecomparativelyheavy.
Ithasbeenclearfromthebeginningthatthelimitingfactorineveryaspect
oftheprojecthasbeenthelongstandingdifficulty,cost,andhighriskof
puttingheavyequipmentintoorbit.Thisiscompoundedbythefactthat
thePolarShieldwillbethemostmassivehumanconstructeverattempted,
bynecessity.
Kojihaswonderedwhetherthesecostsandriskscanbemitigatedifthe
heatenginesareinsteadfabricatedinorbit.Athisbehest,histeamhas
shownthattheretoolingandlogisticscostsnecessarytocompleteheat
enginefabricationinorbitareacceptable.However,thesecostswouldbe
dwarfedbythecostoflaunchingtheactualrawmaterialintoorbitfrom
Earth.

2.4

OperatingEnvironment

N/A

2.5
N/A

DesignandImplementationConstraints

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

2.6

Page5

UserDocumentation

N/A

2.7

AssumptionsandDependencies

N/A

3.

ExternalInterfaceRequirements

3.1

UserInterfaces

N/A

3.2

HardwareInterfaces

N/A

3.3

SoftwareorHardwareInterfaces

N/A

3.4

CommunicationsInterfaces

N/A

4.

SystemFeatures&Functions

PriorityScaleLegend
Low<Medium<High

4.1

ProduceIndustrialGradeMaterial
4.1.1

DescriptionandPriority
Priority: High
Production of Industrial-Grade material requires that the ExTerra Asteroid Miner be
capable of converting raw material from the Asteroid Belt into high-quality metal
alloys, crystal, and composites. The quality of this material must meet Aerospace
industry standards and must be shaped according to customer specification. Koji wants
these capabilities because it will allow him to fabricate the bulk of the Polar Shied

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

Page6

facility from asteroid material, sidestepping the risk and cost associated with Earthbased launches.
If the material is not of sufficient quality or is shaped improperly it can lead to project
delays, structural instability, and loss of functionality of the Polar Shield. It is for this
reason that the Asteroid Miner must have onboard capabilities to determine the
integrity of its products.
4.1.2

Stimulus/ResponseSequences
STIMULUS

RESPONSE

Rawmaterialis
collectedthrough
miningprocesses.

Influxofminedmaterialisroughlysortedbycomposition,
andthenfurtherrefinedthroughplasmaheatingand
separation.Iftherearenoqueuedordersforthesematerials
itisstoredintheMinersreservesinliquidform.Else,itis
furtherprocessedasperclientspecification.

Anorderisqueuedin
theMaterialTransfer
Network(MATNet)

MATNetfindsappropriateMinerinnetworkfor
task,eachweightedbyitslocation,material
reserves,andcurrenttask.

Appropriatematerialischosenfromtherelevant
Minersreservesandmixedasnecessary.

Thechosenproportionisformedintoshapes
belongingtoexistingcommercialstandards.

Theintegrityofeachunitischeckedusingonboard
radiographycapabilities.
o Ifitdoesnotmeettheclientmaterial
specificationsitisrecycledandreplaced.

4.1.3

Verifiedunit(s)arepackagedforballistictransit
(4.4)ordeliveredtotargetonboardtheMiner.

FunctionalRequirements
REQ-1: Material reserves must be adequate for specified order.
REQ-2: The Asteroid Miner is capable of receiving its prioritized order through the
Material Transfer Network (4.3).
REQ-3: Fabrication module diagnostic check confirms planned
refinement/fabrication modes are fully operational.
REQ-4: Production should be possible whether the Miner is in transit mode (4.2) or
collection mode.
REQ-5: Must be capable of retooling for received orders during transit mode or
collection mode.

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

4.2

TransitMode

4.2.1

DescriptionandPriority
Priority: High

Page7

To be able to complete the transit from Jupiter and Earth orbits, the ExTerra Asteroid
Miner must be self-propelled. Furthermore, it must be able to accelerate up to the
speeds necessary to complete the transit within the 30-day limit, made possible by the
advent of Quantum Field (QF) thrusters. These requirements are accomplished through
the Transit Mode. Transit Mode will allow Koji to queue material orders within the
MATNet months in advance with high confidence that they will be met.
The transit is initiated by an order through the MATNet, specifying a target location as
well as the role of the miner (4.3). Given this capability, failure of any one Miner can
be offset by another Miner within the MATNet given the prompt transit time. (4.3)
4.2.2

Stimulus/ResponseSequences
STIMULUS

RESPONSE

Directiveissued
throughMATNet
specifyingdestination
locationandrole.

4.2.3

4.3

Minerbeginstransitdiagnostics,verifying
structuralintegrity,energyreserves,avionics
modules,andothercomponentsnecessaryfor
transitandsubsequentminingorunloading
operations.

Ifsystemstatusiswithinideallimits,Transitmode
isinitiated:

Ifsystemstatusisnotwithinideallimits,itinitiates
SelfHealingmodeandthetaskispassedtoanother
capableMiner.

FunctionalRequirements
REQ-1: Material reserves must be adequate for specified order.
REQ-2: The Asteroid Miner is capable of receiving its prioritized order through the
Material Transfer Network (4.3).
REQ-3: Fabrication module diagnostic check confirms planned
refinement/fabrication modes are fully operational.
REQ-4: Production should be capable whether the Miner is in transit mode (4.2) or
collection mode.

MATNetCommunication
4.3.1

DescriptionandPriority
Priority: High

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

Page8

MATNet Communication requires that the Asteroid Miner maintain a data

uplink/downlink that includes real-time data on its location, payload, operational
status, and its environment. Koji wants MATNet Communication to ensure that each
individual Asteroid Miner is used to effectively and efficiently maintain and increase the
flow of industrial material (4.1) from the Asteroid Belt to Earth and Lunar orbits,
where it can be used to complete the Polar Shield. MATNet connection is first
established as soon as the Asteroid Miner reaches low-Earth orbit aboard its launch
vehicle. If the Asteroid Miner cannot maintain connectivity with the MATNet it will
repair itself or rendezvous with spare parts while the task is passed to another Miner
within the MATNet.
4.3.2

Stimulus/ResponseSequences
STIMULUS
LaunchVehicle
breachesEarth
Atmosphere

RESPONSE

Minerbeginstransmittingavionicsanddiagnostic
onExTerraoperationalfrequencieswhilesearching
forEarthbasedbroadcastsfromExTerraMission
ControlaswellasbroadcastsfromExTerraLunar
Station.
o Oncefrequenciesareidentifiedsecure
connectionwithMATNetisestablished
o Minerbeginsselfdiagnostictopreparefor
launchvehicledisconnect.

LaunchVehicle
reachespredetermined
disconnecttimeand
location.

Minerbreaksconnectionswithpoweranddata
umbilicaltethersoflaunchvehicle.

Launchvehiclereleasesdockingclampsfrom
Minerandmaneuversawayfromit.

MATNetschedules
preliminarydiagnostic
activityandcyclingof
systemcomponents.

Eachsystemcomponentistestedforfunctionality
o Ifstatusisnotideal,selfhealingis
attempted
o Ifselfhealingisunsuccessfulthenthe
module(s)inquestionisreplacedatthe
PolarShield.

MATNetassignsatask
andlocationtothe
Miner.

Ifallcomponentsarefunctioningcorrectlythe
Minershallreportitsoperationalworthinesstothe
MATNet

Minerverifiesreceiptofdataandpreparesfor
TransitMode(4.2)

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

Environmentalsensors
indicatethatSolar
stormorSolar
prominencehas
occurredoris
imminent.

Page9

TheMinersendsahighprioritybroadcastwarning
oftheeventtoallnearbyMinersandother
ExTerraassets.

TheMinerwillattempttoestablishaconnection
withCeresorLunarstations
o Ifconnectionisestablished,theMiner
woulduploadthedatacorrespondingtothe
eventwhichwouldbeusedtodirecttherest
oftheMATNet.
o Ifdirectconnectionisnotestablished,a
highprioritybroadcastisagainperformed
foraslongaspossible.

TheMinerwoulduploaditscurrentlocationand
statusbeforedeployingitsplasmashieldsand
shieldingitsCommunicationsmoduleforthe
durationofthestorm.

OncethestormpassestheMinerwillattemptto
reestablishaconnectionwithMATNet.
o Ifsuccessfulitwilluploaditsoperational
statusandwaitforinstructions
o IfaconnectiontoMATNetcannotbe
establishedtheMinerwillengageTransit
Modeandtraveltotheclosestlastknown
locationofanExTerraasset.

4.3.3

4.4

FunctionalRequirements
REQ-1: Communications Module is fully functioning
REQ-2: Solar activity is sufficient to maintain connectivity to Lunar station, Ceres
station, or relay satellite.
REQ-3: Communications Module and related components must be hardened against
Solar storms and other events.
REQ-4: Miner must be capable of locally storing a relevant portion of current
MATNet data.

BallisticMaterialTransfer
4.4.1

DescriptionandPriority
Priority: Medium
The ExTerra Asteroid Miner shall be able to package the raw, refine, or fabricated
material it processes for a safe ballistic transit. That is, the materials produced by the

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

Page10

miner must be sufficiently packaged such that they can remain intact once pushed or
pulled by the Miner into an unpowered transit to its destination. This capability is
desirable to Koji as it expedites the transfer of industrial material across the large
expanse between the Belt and Earth.
This shall be accomplished by maintaining the location and operational status of the
ballistic payload throughout its journey via the MATNet. In the case that the payload
breaks communication with the MATNet, the nature of each ballistic transit will never
result in an intersection with Earth, Moon, Mars, or any known settlements or assets.
4.4.2

Stimulus/ResponseSequences
STIMULUS
Minerhasproduced
allottedamountof
materialasper
MATNetinstructions

Packagingofpayload
iscompleted.

RESPONSE

WhileFabricationmoduleperformsintegrity
verificationofproducedmaterial(4.1)italsobegins
tofabricategraphemesheetsofappropriatesizeand
thickness.

Aftertheproducedmaterialhasbeenverifiedor
replaced,thepayloadappendageswrapthepayload
withsufficientquantitatesofgraphenefabric.The
integrityofthesheetsisverifiedbyacontinuity
test.

Payloadcommunicationsmoduleisloadedfrom
magazineandverified.
o IftheCommunicationsmoduleis
operationalitisadheredtothepayloadwith
redundantbindings.
o IftheCommunicationsmoduleisnot
operationalitisreplacedbyanotherthatis.

MATNetconfirms
ballisticdestinationand
vector

4.4.3

Payloadisslowlyacclimatedtovacuum.

MinerentersTransitmodeandacceleratesto
specifiedvelocity.

PackagedmaterialisremovedfromthePayload
moduleandreleased.

MinermaneuversawayfromballisticPayloadand
awaitsfurtherinstruction.

FunctionalRequirements
REQ-1: Miner must be in a location that allows for its payload to be launched into a
ballistic trajectory.

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

REQ-2:
REQ-3:
REQ-4:
REQ-5:

4.5

Page11

MATNet must have allocated redundant interceptors for rendezvous at

destination.
Material packaging must be verified for structural integrity before launch
and prior to arrival.
Miner material reserves must be sufficient to fabricate packaging to
completely enclose deliverables.
Payload Communications Module must be operational and establish uplink
with MATNet

ProduceIndustrialGradeVolatiles
4.5.1

DescriptionandPriority
Priority: Medium
The ExTerra Asteroid Miner shall be able to produce high purity oxygen, nitrogen,
methane, hydrogen and other volatiles. This is desirable to Koji and KHI as it will
increase the availability of atmosphere and reaction mass for the Polar Shield facilities
and construction fleet. The production of volatiles uses the same production processes
for Industrial solids (4.1) while limiting the target asteroids to be those rich in ices. If
the Miner is unable to produce volatiles then the Polar Shield project shall still be able
to rely on existing fuel depots operated by ExTerra and other companies.

4.5.2

Stimulus/ResponseSequences
STIMULUS
Minerhasproduced
allottedamountof
materialasper
MATNetinstructions

4.5.3

RESPONSE

Minerlowerspayloadtemperaturestovacuumto
keepvolatilesfrozen.

Aftertheproducedmaterialhasbeenfrozenthe
payloadappendageswrapthepayloadwith
sufficientquantitatesofgraphenefabric.The
integrityofthesheetsisverifiedbyacontinuity
test.(4.4)

FunctionalRequirements
REQ-1: Miner must have collected material from C-type asteroids, rich in volatiles
trapped in ice.
REQ-2: Miner must be capable of initialing ballistic trajectory near fuel-depot or
Polar Shield rendezvous vehicles.
REQ-3: Miner must replenish its fuel reserves before ballistic transfer.

FunctionalSpecificationforExTerraAsteroidMiner

5.

OtherNonfunctionalRequirements

5.1

PerformanceRequirements

N/A

5.2

SafetyRequirements

N/A

5.3

SecurityRequirements

N/A

5.4

SoftwareorHardwareQualityAttributes

N/A

5.5

BusinessRules

N/A

6.

OtherRequirements

N/A

AppendixA:Glossary
N/A

AppendixB:AnalysisModels
N/A

AppendixC:ToBeDeterminedList
N/A

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