ORBIT SPACE TRANSPORTATION & RECOVERY SYSTEM

• US 20070040067A1
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iostar Corporation
• Original Assignee: Iostar Corporation
• Inventors: Stuart, James, Williams, Franklin, D'Ausilio, Robert, Giaccherini, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,216,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/172.500
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1078 Maintenance satellites refuelling in space B64G1/4024
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/1081 for debris removal
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/2427 Transfer orbits
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/405 Ion or plasma engines per se F03H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/408 Nuclear spacecraft propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/413 Ion or plasma engines
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/422 Nuclear power generation
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/503 Radiator panels
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/506 Heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/54 Protection against radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/646 Docking or rendezvous systems refuelling in space B64G1/4024
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/6462 characterised by the means for engaging other vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 5/02 Reactor and engine structurally combined, e.g. portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/00 Energy generation of nuclear origin

Abstract

An In Orbit Transportation & Recovery System (IOSTAR™) (10). One preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a space tug powered by a nuclear reactor (19). The IOSTAR™ includes a collapsible boom (11) connected at one end to a propellant tank (13) which stores fuel for an electric propulsion system (12). This end of the boom (11) is equipped with docking hardware (14) that is able to grasp and hold a satellite (15) and as a means to refill the tank (13). Radiator panels (16) mounted on the boom (11) dissipate heat from the reactor (19). A radiation shield (20) is situated next to the reactor (19) to protect the satellite payload (15) at the far end of the boom (11). The IOSTAR™ (10) will be capable of accomplishing rendezvous and docking maneuvers which will enable it to move spacecraft between a low Earth parking orbit and positions in higher orbits or to other locations in our Solar System.

Claims

1. A method of operating a nuclear powered vehicle in orbit comprising the steps of:

providing said nuclear powered vehicle in orbit with a radiation shield (20) for protecting a detachable payload (15);

providing said nuclear powered vehicle with a grasping means (14) extending outwardly therefrom at one end for docking and interacting with a plurality of other satellites;

said grasping means (14) being configured for multiple use and for interacting with a plurality of different objects;

said grasping means (14) including a plurality of segments;

configuring said plurality of segments to partially surround one of said plurality of different objects and to engage and to grasp said object without the need for any preconfigured docking interface on said object; and

providing controlled kinetic energy;

said controlled kinetic energy for interacting with a plurality of other satellites.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy affects another satellite.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy is used to move a satellite.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy is used to rescue a satellite.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy is used to repair a satellite.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy is used to transport a payload to a satellite.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy is used to transport a payload from a satellite.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy is used to transport a payload to a celestial body.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy is used to transport a payload from a celestial body.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing controlled kinetic energy is sold.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing controlled kinetic energy is leased for a specified task.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing controlled kinetic energy is leased for a specified time.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, in which a customer who uses said nuclear powered vehicle for providing controlled kinetic energy is charged according to a specified rate.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, in which said specified rate is determined by a quantity of mass in orbit that is moved by said controlled kinetic energy.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, in which said specified rate is determined by a distance that said quantity of mass in orbit that is moved by said controlled kinetic energy.

16. A method as recited in claim 14, in which said specified rate is determined by a change in an orbital parameter that is altered by said controlled kinetic energy.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, in which said orbital parameter is altitude.

18. A method as recited in claim 16, in which said orbital parameter is apogee.

19. A method as recited in claim 16, in which said orbital parameter is perigee.

20. A method as recited in claim 16, in which said orbital parameter is inclination.

21. A method as recited in claim 1, in which said controlled kinetic energy is provided to a plurality of customers.

22. A method as recited in claim 21, in which said plurality of customers utilize said controlled kinetic energy on a time-share basis.

23. A method comprising the steps of:

operating a nuclear powered vehicle in orbit; and

generating electrical energy on board said nuclear powered vehicle.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is used to affect another satellite.

25. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is used to move a satellite.

26. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is used to rescue a satellite.

27. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is used to repair a satellite.

28. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is used to transport a payload to a satellite.

29. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is used to transport a payload from a satellite.

30. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is used to transport a payload to a celestial body.

31. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is used to transport a payload from a celestial body.

32. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing electrical energy is sold.

33. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing electrical energy is traded.

34. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing electrical energy is leased for a specified task.

35. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing electrical energy is leased for a specified time.

36. A method as recited in claim 23, in which a customer who uses said nuclear powered vehicle for providing electrical energy is charged according to a specified rate.

37. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said specified rate is determined by a quantity of mass in orbit that is moved by said electrical energy.

38. A method as recited in claim 37, in which said specified rate is determined by a distance that said quantity of mass in orbit that is moved by said electrical energy.

39. A method as recited in claim 37, in which said specified rate is determined by a change in an orbital parameter that is altered by said electrical energy.

40. A method as recited in claim 39, in which said orbital parameter is altitude.

41. A method as recited in claim 39, in which said orbital parameter is apogee.

42. A method as recited in claim 39, in which said orbital parameter is perigee.

43. A method as recited in claim 39, in which said orbital parameter is inclination.

44. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is produced by a nuclear reactor on board said nuclear powered vehicle.

45. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is conveyed to another satellite.

46. A method as recited in claim 45, in which said electrical energy is conveyed to another satellite using a conductive link connected to another satellite.

47. A method as recited in claim 45, in which said electrical energy is conveyed to another satellite using a radiated energy beam.

48. A method as recited in claim 45, in which said electrical energy is conveyed to another satellite by first storing said electrical energy on board said nuclear powered vehicle in a storage device, and then physically delivering said storage device to another satellite.

49. A method as recited in claim 48, in which said storage device is a battery.

50. A method as recited in claim 48, in which said storage device is a fuel cell.

51. A method as recited in claim 23, in which said electrical energy is provided to a plurality of customers.

52. A method as recited in claim 51, in which said plurality of customers utilize said electrical energy on a time-share basis.

53. A method comprising the steps of:

operating a nuclear powered vehicle in orbit; and

processing information on board said nuclear powered vehicle.

54. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used to affect another satellite.

55. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used to move a satellite.

56. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used to rescue a satellite.

57. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used to repair a satellite.

58. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used to transport a payload to a satellite.

59. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used to transport a payload from a satellite.

60. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used to transport a payload to a celestial body.

61. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used to transport a payload from a celestial body.

62. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing said information is sold.

63. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing said information is leased for a specified task.

64. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said nuclear powered vehicle for providing said information is leased for a specified time.

65. A method as recited in claim 53, in which a customer who uses said nuclear powered vehicle for providing said information is charged according to a specified rate.

66. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is conveyed to another satellite.

67. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is conveyed to a receiver generally near a celestial body.

68. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is conveyed using a radio signal.

69. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said said information is provided to a plurality of customers.

70. A method as recited in claim 53, in which a customer is charged for receiving said information by the packet conveyed.

71. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used for reconnaissance.

72. A method as recited in claim 53, in which said information is used for surveillance.

73. A method comprising the steps of:

operating a nuclear powered vehicle in orbit; and

using said nuclear powered vehicle for emanating direct broadcast signals to a receiver generally near a celestial body.

74. A method as recited in claim 73, in which a customer is charged for receiving said direct broadcast signals by the packet conveyed.

75. A method as recited in claim 73, in which a customer is charged for receiving said direct broadcast signals per a specified program of content conveyed.

76. A method as recited in claim 73, in which a customer is charged for receiving said direct broadcast signals according to a measured power flux density of said signals.

77. A method comprising the steps of:

operating a nuclear powered vehicle in orbit; and

using said nuclear powered vehicle for emanating and receiving telecommunication signals to a receiver generally near a celestial body.

78. A method as recited in claim 77, in which a customer is charged for using said telecommunication signals by the packet conveyed.

79. A method as recited in claim 77, in which a customer is charged for using said telecommunication signals according to a measured power flux density of said signals.

80. A method as recited in claim 77, in which a customer is charged for using said telecommunication signals per a specified program of content conveyed.

81. A method comprising the steps of:

operating a nuclear powered vehicle in orbit; and

generating a propagated signal on board said nuclear powered vehicle.

82. A method as recited in claim 81, in which said propagated signal conveys data and is radiated to another satellite.

83. A method as recited in claim 81, in which said propagated signal conveys data and is radiated to a receiver which is generally near a celestial body.

84. A method as recited in claim 81, in which said propagated signal conveys information.

85. A method as recited in claim 81, in which said propagated signal conveys usable energy.