Advancing Modular Conveying System: Modular Static Auger Systems for Bulk material Handling for Material Processing Plant Systems based on Planets, Small Bodies, and Moons

The technology proposed in this proposal will help future lunar missions by moving regolith on the moon in a way that has minimal impact from abrasive lunar dust and can be oriented at any angle, meaning the conveyance system can be anywhere between vertical and horizontal. The static auger conveyor is mass and energy efficient and can also be made modular. Other benefits include similar operation at any speed and the ability to change speeds on the fly. Ports can be placed anywhere along the tube to conduct sampling and measurements to determine composition. Funding will be used to conduct trade studies and develop and test small scale prototypes. Target markets of course include lunar applications, but also many applications on earth, such as manufacturing plants, agricultural conveyance applications, and industrial mining.