Autonomous rendezvous and docking system and method therefor
US5734736A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/646
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is an autonomous rendezvous and docking system and method therefor used for the rendezvous and docking of spacecraft. The autonomous rendezvous and docking system allows spacecraft rendezvous, proximity maneuvering, and docking between a chase spacecraft and a target spacecraft by determining the relative position between the two spacecrafts. The relative position is determined based on the location of target reflections from a reflective target positioned on the target spacecraft. The target reflections are identified by intensity, shape, size and location from various other spurious reflections. This ultimately allows the autonomous rendezvous and docking system to determine the x, y, z, roll, pitch and yaw positions of the target spacecraft in relation to the chase spacecraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.