Autonomous orbit transfer vehicle

• US 6,568,639 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Green, Jennifer L., Cronick, Jeffrey J., Wechsler, James K., Lindley, Brian R., Carpenter, Jon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US09/945,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 244/158.R, 244/172, 244/173
• US Class Current: 244/158.5
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/12 manned
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/223 Modular spacecraft systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/2427 Transfer orbits
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/247 Advanced control concepts for autonomous, robotic spacecraft, e.g. by using artificial intelligence, neural networks or autonomous agents
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/26 using jets
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/401 Liquid propellant rocket engines Ion or plasma engines B64G1/413; Arcjets and other resistojets B64G1/415
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/425 Power storage
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/443 Photovoltaic cell arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/646 Docking or rendezvous systems refueling in space B64G1/4024

Abstract

An orbit transfer vehicle for transporting cargo between a low Earth orbit and a higher Earth orbit having a body and an engine operably coupled to the body. A reaction control system is further provided and is operably coupled to the body. The reaction control system having a plurality of thrusters capable of maneuvering the orbit transfer vehicle. The orbit transfer vehicle further includes an energy absorbing panel operable to gather energy and an energy storage device operable to store the energy. Still further, a payload interface mechanism is provided having a payload container area and a payload retaining device. The payload retaining device is connectable to the cargo. Lastly, a controller for autonomously controlling the engine, the reaction control system, and the payload interface mechanism to control the orbit transfer vehicle so as to transport the cargo between a low Earth orbit to a higher Earth orbit.

Claims

1. An orbit transfer vehicle for transporting cargo between a low Earth orbit and a high Earth orbit, said orbit transfer vehicle comprising:

a body;

an engine operably coupled to said body, said engine providing propulsion for the orbit transfer vehicle;

a reaction control system operably coupled to said body, said reaction control system having a plurality of thrusters capable of maneuvering the orbit transfer vehicle;

an energy absorbing panel operable to gather energy;

an energy storage device operable to store said energy;

a payload interface mechanism having a payload container area and a payload retaining device, said payload retaining device being connectable to the cargo; and

a controller for autonomously controlling said engine, said reaction control system, and said payload interface mechanism to control the orbit transfer vehicle so as to transport the cargo between a low Earth orbit to a higher Earth orbit.

2. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said low Earth orbit is approximately 100 NM above median sea level and said higher Earth orbit is generally greater than about 150 NM above median sea level.

3. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said reaction control system comprises:

a first reaction control module having a pair of thrust modules, each of said thrust modules of said first reaction control module having three thrusters oriented in three axial directions; and

a second reaction control module having a pair of thrust modules, each of said thrust modules of said second reaction control module having three thrusters oriented in three axial directions.

4. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said engine is a chemical bi-propellant based rocket engine.

5. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said energy absorbing panel is an array of solar panels.

6. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said energy storage device is a plurality of batteries.

7. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said payload interface mechanism is a trunnion-based coupling system.

8. An orbit transfer vehicle for transporting cargo between a low Earth orbit and a high Earth orbit, said orbit transfer vehicle comprising:

a body;

an engine operably coupled to said body, said engine providing propulsion for the orbit transfer vehicle;

a forward reaction control module operably coupled to a forward portion of said body, said forward reaction control module having a pair of thrust modules, each of said thrust modules of said forward reaction control module having three thrusters oriented in three axial directions;

an aft reaction control module operably coupled to an aft portion of said body, said aft reaction control module having a pair of thrust modules, each of said thrust modules of said second reaction control module having three thrusters oriented in three axial directions;

an array of solar panels operable to gather energy;

an energy storage device operable to store said energy;

a payload interface mechanism having a payload container area and a payload retaining device, said payload retaining device being connectable to a plurality of trunnions mounted on the cargo; and

a controller for autonomously controlling said engine, said reaction control system, and said payload interface mechanism to control the orbit transfer vehicle so as to transport the cargo between a low Earth orbit to a higher Earth orbit.

9. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 8 wherein said low Earth orbit is approximately 100 NM above median sea level and said higher Earth orbit is generally greater than about 150 NM above median sea level.

10. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 8 wherein said engine is a chemical bi-propellant based rocket engine.

11. The orbit transfer vehicle according to claim 8 wherein said energy storage device is a plurality of batteries.