Hybrid Kinetic-Launch Unmanned Robotic Probe Design with Persistent Rotating Outer Shell: Reducing Fuel for Interplanetary Material Transfer via Centrifugal Stabilization and Artificial Gravity

This preprint presents the conceptual design of the Aetherion probes — an unmanned robotic spacecraft optimised for low-fuel, high-frequency material and sample transfer across the Solar System (Earth–Moon, Moon–Mars, Mars–Earth cycles) and beyond. The architecture combines two synergistic innovations: (1) direct compatibility with ground-based kinetic acceleration systems (e.g., SpinLaunch-style vacuum centrifuges) that impart 5–8 km/s initial velocity, slashing onboard propellant needs by 60–80 %; and (2) a persistent, modular outer rotating shell (optionally double-layered) concentric around a selectable-gravity inner carriage. The outer shell, spun post-launch via solar-powered motors, delivers propellant-free attitude control through gyroscopic precession, tunable partial artificial gravity (0.1–0.5 g) to stabilise samples and mitigate microgravity degradation, and passive thermal/radiation averaging. The inner carriage remains modular and scalable, accommodating instruments, sample canisters, or — in the speculative Vireo extension — a self-replicating von Neumann seed factory for exponential in-situ resource utilisation. Physics fundamentals, quantitative estimates, high-g hardening requirements, simulation starter code (Python), and engineering trade-offs are provided in detail. All claims rest on demonstrated heritage: kinetic launch tests, spin-stabilised missions (Pioneer, Voyager, Juno), NASA artificial-gravity studies, and von Neumann replication theory. No exotic physics or materials are required; the design is intended as an open, practical blueprint for simulation, ground testing, or suborbital flight demonstration. The work is offered openly to engineers, researchers, students, and citizen scientists who wish to refine, model, prototype, or extend the Aetherion platform and its Vireo self-replicating variant. It is hoped that shared curiosity and bold synthesis will carry these concepts from hand-drawn sketches toward real flight — whether as routine Solar-System shuttles or as quiet seeds for future interstellar exploration.