United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

The Aerospace Corporation

Christsopher J Hickey

David E Lee

David J Gruber

Peter T Spehar

Brian M Kent

Jason T Smith

Stephen J Damico

David S Adlis

Rajiv Kohli

Anthony D Griffith, Sr

Susan H Burns

Travis M Robinson

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.

System, apparatus, and method for active debris removal

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Christsopher J Hickey