Photon momentum transfer plane for asteroid, meteoroid, and comet orbit shaping

US6726153B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventor

• Jonathan Campbell · Harvest, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 19, 2003
• Grant date: Apr 27, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 19, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/648
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A spacecraft docks with a spinning and/or rotating asteroid, meteoroid, comet, or other space object, utilizing a tether shaped in a loop and utilizing subvehicles appropriately to control loop instabilities. The loop is positioned about a portion of the asteroid and retracted thereby docking the spacecraft to the asteroid, meteoroid, comet, or other space object. A deployable rigidized, photon momentum transfer plane of sufficient thickness may then be inflated and filled with foam. This plane has a reflective surface that assists in generating a larger momentum from impinging photons. This plane may also be moved relative to the spacecraft to alter the forces acting on it, and thus on the asteroid, meteoroid, comet, or other space object to which it is attached. In general, these forces may be utilized, over time, to alter the orbits of asteroids, meteoroids, comets, or other space objects. Sensors and communication equipment may be utilized to allow remote operation of the rigidized, photon momentum transfer plane and tether.