Method and system for supporting an airborne vehicle in space
First Claim
1. A method of supporting an airborne vehicle in space over a predetermined location and for an extensive period, comprising:
- coupling the airborne vehicle by cables to a plurality of unmanned aircraft each having its own propulsion system;
controlling the unmanned aircraft to fly in circular orbits at equally-spaced angles around the airborne vehicle while coupled to the airborne vehicle, to tension the cables and thereby to support the airborne vehicle in spaced over said predetermined location;
supplying the airborne vehicle, while supported in space over said predetermined location, with energy from an external source; and
transferring energy from said airborne vehicle to said unmanned aircraft to maintain the unmanned aircraft in flight over an extended or indefinite period of time.
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Abstract
A method and system for supporting an airborne vehicle in space over a predetermined location and for an extensive period, comprises coupling the airborne vehicle by cables to a plurality of unmanned aircraft each having its own propulsion system; controlling the unmanned aircraft to fly in circular orbits at equally-spaced angles around the airborne vehicle while coupled to the airborne vehicle, to tension the cables and thereby to support the airborne vehicle in space over the predetermined location; and supplying the unmanned aircraft with energy from an external source to maintain the unmanned aircraft in flight over an extended or indefinite period of time.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of supporting an airborne vehicle in space over a predetermined location and for an extensive period, comprising:
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coupling the airborne vehicle by cables to a plurality of unmanned aircraft each having its own propulsion system; controlling the unmanned aircraft to fly in circular orbits at equally-spaced angles around the airborne vehicle while coupled to the airborne vehicle, to tension the cables and thereby to support the airborne vehicle in spaced over said predetermined location; supplying the airborne vehicle, while supported in space over said predetermined location, with energy from an external source; and transferring energy from said airborne vehicle to said unmanned aircraft to maintain the unmanned aircraft in flight over an extended or indefinite period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for supporting an airborne vehicle in space over a predetermined location and for an extensive period, comprising:
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a plurality of unmanned aircraft, each coupled by a cable to the airborne vehicle; control means for controlling the unmanned aircraft to fly a circular orbit at equally-spaced angles around the airborne vehicle while coupled thereto, to tension the cables and thereby to support the airborne vehicle in space over said predetermined location; energy-supplying means supplying said airborne vehicle, while supported in space over said predetermined location, with energy from an external source; and means for transferring energy from said airborne vehicle to said unmanned aircraft to maintain the unmanned aircraft in flight over an extended or indefinite period of time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification