Catamitt recycler concept for the reuse of orbital kinetic energy and orbital momentum

Orbiting spacecraft constitute both a threat (as orbital debris hazards to be avoided) and a potential resource of orbital kinetic energy and momentum---if the means can be found to efficiently recycle such quantities to newly arriving spacecraft. An orbiting infrastructure which recycles kinetic energy and momentum is defined. The characteristics of a resulting energy recycling station are described.; An estimated 85% of the kinetic energy possessed by 1 spacecraft can be recovered and imparted to another spacecraft. As a result, the total delta vee required for a round trip from LEO to the Moon shrinks from 12 km/s to 2 km/s when 5 energy recycling stations are used. Travel time is 7 days, with peak accelerations of 10 m/s2. The payload capacity of Earth based launch systems increases by 68%. The estimated cost for a 5 station system linking LEO to the surface of the Moon is {dollar}40 billion.