Salvaging and Braking Device for Objects Flying Freely in Space

• US 20130175401A1
• Filed: 02/29/2012
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Astrium GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Starke, Juergen, Bischof, Bernhard, Sommer, Josef, Dumke, Michael, Bruege, Uwe
• Granted Patent: US 9,022,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/171.1
• 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 1/40 Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/62 Systems for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere; Retarding or landing devices
• 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

Abstract

In a recovery and braking device for objects flying freely in space, particularly for capturing satellites and other orbital objects, (at least one,) preferably a larger number of capturing units (2) are arranged on a spacecraft serving as a steerable carrier vehicle (1), wherein the capturing units are separable from the spacecraft, are equipped with a propellant charge of their own, and comprise a closeable capture net (4) releasably connected via a line (5). The carrier vehicle is equipped with position or attitude controlling engines (6), in order to achieve an orienting of the coupled mass configuration in preparation for the separation. In that regard, several capturing units can be combined into a series or parallel connection. After the oriented deployment/separation, the passive stability of the arrangement is utilized, taking into consideration the system behavior of the flexibly coupled objects, whereby sufficient position or attitude stability and accuracy is ensured even without active position or attitude control.

Claims

1. Recovery and braking device for objects flying freely in space, particularly for the capture of satellites and other orbital objects, consisting of a spacecraft serving as a steerable carrier vehicle equipped with at least one position or attitude controlling engine, wherein at least one separable capturing unit, which is equipped with at least one propellant charge of its own and a capture device in the form of a closeable capture net, is arranged connected to the carrier vehicle and to be launched therefrom, characterized in that each capturing unit (2) is releasably connected via a line (5) with the capture net (4) and that the propellant charge is equipped with at least one thrust nozzle (3) embodied as a braking device.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that four capturing units (2) are mounted on the carrier vehicle (1).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that several capturing units (2) are combined in a series or parallel connection.