METHOD FOR PERFORMING WATER COLLECTION FROM ICE SURFACE OF ASTEROID OR COMET'S NUCLEUS

摘要

FIELD: small celestial bodies development.;SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of development of small celestial bodies. A section of the flat ice surface of an asteroid or comet nucleus is covered with a dome with a heating element, through which the ice under the dome is melted. After stopping heating, the water under the dome under microgravity conditions and under the action of surface tension forces takes a shape close to the shape of a ball. Then the volume under the dome is exposed to the cold of outer space until an ice ball is formed from the water.;EFFECT: efficient and technological separation of a piece of ice from the icy surface of a small celestial body. ;1 cl