Cislunar Cargo Return by Distributed Laser-Ablative Trajectory Shaping (BRAKE) and Passive Atmospheric Capture (BOLT ODP): A Systems Engineering and Flight Mechanics Design Study

This design study introduces an end-to-end, zero-onboard-propellant architecture for returning uncrewed cargo from Earth–Moon Lagrange Point 4 (EML4) to a controlled ocean splashdown. The names used here — BRAKE for the distributed laser-kinetic network, BOLT ODP for the ballistic capsule, and KICK for the facility linear-synchronous-motor ejector — are coined in this paper to label the proposed elements; they do not refer to an existing program, station, or recovery authority. A facility-mounted 70 m linear synchronous motor (KICK) ejects the capsule from a proposed EML4 staging node at 150 m/s. Lunar-polar and Molniya-orbit ytterbium-fiber laser platforms (BRAKE-1/2/3) apply ablative Δv to sacrificial NiFe/slag targets to shape a lunar flyby and lock the Earth-entry corridor at γEI = −5.8°. Earth's atmosphere and a triple basalt-cloth parachute cluster complete capture to an 18 m/s tropical maritime splashdown. The study records the vehicle envelope, Δv allocation, laser-matter coupling and optical-range limits, entry and recovery sizing, and the critical risk register. Where a calculation is not closed, the governing assumption is stated explicitly. This record is the primary source for the architecture.