System, apparatus, and method for active debris removal
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for debris remediation, comprising:
- a spacecraft control unit comprising at least one processor configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target;
a dynamic object characterization unit configured to match a rate of the apparatus with a rate of the target to characterize movement of the target for debris remediation; and
a capture and release unit configured to enter through an engine nozzle of the target to remove the target from a congested orbit to an uncongested orbit or to Earth for disposal without creating additional debris.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for removal of orbital debris are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a spacecraft control unit configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target. The apparatus also includes a dynamic object characterization unit configured to characterize movement, and a capture feature, of the target. The apparatus further includes a capture and release unit configured to capture a target and deorbit or release the target. The collection of these apparatuses is then employed as multiple, independent and individually operated vehicles launched from a single launch vehicle for the purpose of disposing of multiple debris objects.
-
Citations
36 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for debris remediation, comprising:
-
a spacecraft control unit comprising at least one processor configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target; a dynamic object characterization unit configured to match a rate of the apparatus with a rate of the target to characterize movement of the target for debris remediation; and a capture and release unit configured to enter through an engine nozzle of the target to remove the target from a congested orbit to an uncongested orbit or to Earth for disposal without creating additional debris. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for debris remediation, comprising:
-
performing, by an apparatus comprising at least one processor, a rendezvous procedure with a target; analyzing, by the apparatus comprising the at least one processor, the target prior to capturing the target; capturing, by the apparatus, the target through an engine nozzle of the target after a rotation rate of the apparatus is matched with a rotation rate of the target; and removing, by the apparatus, the captured target from a congested orbit to an uncongested orbit or to Earth for disposal without creating additional debris. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
Specification