Spacecraft system for debris disposal and other operations and methods pertaining to the same
US9944412B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2014 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S901/47
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spacecraft system and method includes a platform with a dock and an umbilical payout device. A robot is connected to an umbilical paid out by the umbilical payout device and is repeatedly deployable from the dock. The robot includes one or more imagers, an inertial measurement unit, and a plurality of thrusters. A command module receives image data from the one or more robot imagers and orientation data from the inertial measurement unit. An object recognition module is configured to recognize one or more objects from the received image data. The command module determines the robot's orientation with respect to an object and issues thruster control commands to control movement of the robot based on the robot's orientation. The combination of the space platform and robot on umbilical line can be used for towing another object to different orbital location, inspection including self-inspection of the robot carrying platform and for robotic servicing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.