Space depot for spacecraft resupply

US7575200B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• John W. Behrens · Torrance, US
• Frank O. Chandler · Tecate Mission Road, US
• Jeffrey J. Cronick · Tecate Mission Road, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 7, 2005
• Grant date: Aug 18, 2009
• Expiry date: Feb 1, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/6464
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A propellant depot (40, 150) includes a utility box (42, 42′) that has space flight equipment. A propellant cartridge adaptor (95) is coupled to the utility box (42, 42′) and to an exchangeable propellant cartridge system (41). The propellant depot (40, 150) also includes a docking adaptor (44) for coupling to an approaching spacecraft (24). A controller (66) controls the transfer of propellant from within the exchangeable propellant cartridge system (41) to the spacecraft (24). A method of providing propellant to a spacecraft in space includes launching an orbital propellant depot (40, 150) into space. The spacecraft is docked to the orbital propellant depot (40, 150) in space. Propellant is transferred to the spacecraft. The spacecraft is separated from the orbital propellant depot (40, 150).