Orbit transfer vehicle with support services
US6561461B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An orbit-transfer vehicle provides the navigation, propulsion, and control systems required to transport a payload satellite from a geosynchronous-transfer orbit (GTO) to a predetermined low-earth orbit (LEO). Upon entering low-earth orbit, the payload satellite is deployed from the orbit-transfer vehicle. To reduce the cost and complexity of the payload satellite, the orbit-transfer vehicle is configured to provide common functional services, such as communications and power regulation, to the payload satellite during the transport, and/or after deployment. To reduce the fuel requirements for this deployment via the orbit-transfer vehicle, a preferred embodiment includes aerobraking to bring the satellite into a low-earth orbit. In a preferred embodiment of this method of deployment, the provider of the orbit-transfer vehicle identifies and secures available excess capacity on launch vehicles, and allocates the excess capacity to the satellites requiring deployment, thereby providing a deployment means that is virtually transparent to the purchaser of this deployment service.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.