Space debris interception
US10640239B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/2427
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle for intercepting a target object orbiting in space is provided, comprising a launching portion for driving the vehicle into an orbit, and an interception portion for intercepting a target object when the vehicle is in orbit, wherein the interception portion comprises means for engaging with the target object and wherein the launching portion is arranged to drive the vehicle into a first elliptical orbit and the vehicle is arranged to adopt a second elliptical orbit when engaged with the target object in which the first elliptical orbit is arranged so as to intersect the orbit of the target object at an interception point, and the second elliptical orbit is such that the vehicle is arranged to move from the interception point towards the Earth's atmosphere when engaged with the target object. A method of controlling a vehicle for intercepting a target object orbiting in space is also provided, comprising controlling the vehicle to be driven into a first elliptical orbit to intersect the orbit of the target object at an interception point and controlling the vehicle to engage with the target object at the interception point and to adopt a second elliptical orbit when engage…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.