Apparatus and methods for orbital debris removal
US9714101B1 · kind B1 · utility
8Cited by
23References
11Claims
0Family size
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/4024
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An orbital debris interception vehicle includes a satellite bus and a debris interception module releasably coupled to the satellite bus. The debris interception module includes a debris impact pad, such as a pancake-shaped Whipple shield. A plurality of such vehicles can be deployed into an equatorial orbit and maneuvered to intercept orbital debris as it passes through the equatorial plane. In particular, the satellite bus can release the debris interception module before an intercept and reconnect to it after the intercept.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.