What question did this study set out to answer?

The central aim is to enable sustainable logistics for deep-space missions through orbital methalox production.

May 26, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Orbital Methalox Production System (OORU ZBO™) – Version 5.7 — Enabling Sustainable Deep-Space Logistics

Key Points

The central aim is to enable sustainable logistics for deep-space missions through orbital methalox production.
Updated feedstock terminology to reflect industrial CO₂ utilization.
Eliminated specific launch provider references for broader application.
Assessment of strategic partners and potential customers included in Appendix.
Reduction in required Earth launches for propellant production.
Enabled self-bootstrapping power and near-zero boil-off storage for efficiency.
Generated carbon credits through the use of synthetically produced CO₂ clathrate hydrate.

Abstract

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.

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