Small reusable payload delivery vehicle
First Claim
1. An unmanned payload delivery vehicle, comprising:
- a payload compartment configured to provide direct space exposure to one or more payloads contained therein;
a guidance monitor system configured to provide data related to a position of the payload delivery vehicle;
a communication system configured to receive control signals;
a propulsion system configured to adjust the position based on received control signals or the provided data; and
a parachute recovery system configured to deploy after activation of the propulsion system to de-orbit the unmanned payload delivery vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a small unmanned payload delivery vehicle that can deploy one or more payloads into space and then bring the payloads back to earth. The delivery vehicle can be sent into space by an expendable launch vehicle, a space shuttle, or be launched from the space station. The delivery vehicle together with the payload contained therein can be left in space for a variable period of time, and the attitude of the delivery vehicle can be adjusted from time to time to maintain the vehicle in the desired orbit. When it is time to return the payload to earth, the delivery vehicle is de-orbited and re-enters the earth'"'"'s atmosphere. The descent of the delivery vehicle is controlled by a parachute system packed within the vehicle. The delivery vehicle together with the payload contained therein can finally be retrieved based on signals emitted from a beacon.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. An unmanned payload delivery vehicle, comprising:
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a payload compartment configured to provide direct space exposure to one or more payloads contained therein;
a guidance monitor system configured to provide data related to a position of the payload delivery vehicle;
a communication system configured to receive control signals;
a propulsion system configured to adjust the position based on received control signals or the provided data; and
a parachute recovery system configured to deploy after activation of the propulsion system to de-orbit the unmanned payload delivery vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31)
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6. The unmanned payload delivery vehicle of 2, wherein the launch vehicle comprises an expendable launch vehicle or a Space Shuttle vehicle.
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28. (canceled)
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32. An unmanned payload delivery vehicle, comprising:
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a payload compartment configured to provide direct space exposure to one or more payloads contained therein;
a video system configured to provide data related to a position of the payload delivery vehicle;
a radio communication system configured to receive control signals and to transmit data related to the position of the payload delivery vehicle;
a propulsion system configured to adjust the position of the unmanned payload delivery vehicle based on the received control signals or the provided data;
a parachute recovery system configured to deploy, after a de-orbit operation, a drogue at a first altitude and a main parachute at a second altitude;
a radio beacon configured to identify a location of the unmanned payload delivery vehicle after the de-orbit operation; and
a thermal protection system configured to protect the unmanned payload delivery vehicle during re-entry to earth'"'"'s atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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35. The unmanned payload delivery vehicle of 33, wherein the launch vehicle comprises an expendable launch vehicle.
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42. An unmanned payload delivery vehicle, comprising:
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a payload compartment configured to provide direct space exposure to one or more payloads contained therein;
a guidance monitor means for providing data related to a position of the payload delivery vehicle;
a communication means for receiving control signals;
a propulsion means for adjusting the position based on the received control signals or the provided data; and
a re-entry recovery means for returning the unmanned payload vehicle to earth'"'"'s surface.
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Specification