The Boeing Company

Jeffrey J Cronick

John W Behrens

Frank O Chandler

Leora Peltz

Glenn N Caplin

Daniel E Rivera

Robert V Frampton

Thomas L Kessler

James K Wechsler

Jon J Carpenter

Jennifer L Green

Brian R Lindley

Thomas Russell Smith

Alfredo Lopez

A propellant depot () includes a utility box (') that has space flight equipment. A propellant cartridge adaptor () is coupled to the utility box (&#x2032;) and to an exchangeable propellant cartridge system (). The propellant depot () also includes a docking adaptor () for coupling to an approaching spacecraft (). A controller () controls the transfer of propellant from within the exchangeable propellant cartridge system () to the spacecraft (). A method of providing propellant to a spacecraft in space includes launching an orbital propellant depot () into space. The spacecraft is docked to the orbital propellant depot () in space. Propellant is transferred to the spacecraft. The spacecraft is separated from the orbital propellant depot ().

Exchangeable propellant cartridge system

An in-space spacecraft servicing system () includes a servicing spacecraft () and a propellant module (). The servicing spacecraft includes a client servicing system (), as well as navigation avionics () for independent flight operation and a servicing propellant tank (). The propellant module moves the servicing module from an upper stage drop off location and releases it in proximity to a client spacecraft () for a servicing mission. It has a propellant tank () with capacity for multiple missions and is used to refill the servicing spacecraft's propellant tanks between missions. Either or both the servicing spacecraft and the propellant module may have navigation avionics. The servicing spacecraft also has a universal docking adaptor () for different client spacecraft, and can convert a client spacecraft from non-cooperative to cooperative.

Spacecraft servicing vehicle with adaptors, tools and attachment mechanisms

Two part spacecraft servicing vehicle system with universal docking adaptor

Two part spacecraft servicing vehicle system with adaptors, tools, and attachment mechanisms

Space depot for spacecraft resupply

A cryocooler is located on a spacecraft bus, such as a bus box, separate from the cryogenic propellant tanks disposed on a separable and distinct propellant cartridge system spacecraft docked to the spacecraft bus. In operation, propellant may be continuously pumped from the tanks through the cryocooler cold heat exchanger and then back to the tanks on the separable propellant cartridge system spacecraft through temporarily couplable lines. After the propellant tanks are depleted, the propellant cartridge system is then undocked from the bus and typically discarded. A new propellant cartridge system spacecraft comprising a full set of tanks may then be docked to the bus and the cryocooler supply/return lines coupled. The remote cryocooler may function as part of a larger space depot for spacecraft resupply, although it is not limited to such applications.

Remotely located cryocooler

A returnable and reusable space vehicle including a main body separate from and releasably mounted to a booster rocket assembly. A crew compartment module is provided that is separate from and releasably mounted to the main body. A propellant system is operably coupled to the crew compartment module so as to propel the crew compartment module from the main body during an emergency procedure. An orientation control system is coupled to the propellant system such that the orientation control system maintains the crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during the emergency procedure. A pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extend from the main body to provide aerodynamic lift the the main body to permit the main body to return from the orbit and land.

Crewed on-orbit, returnable, and reusable space vehicle

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.

Autonomous orbit transfer vehicle

A returnable and reusable space vehicle including a main body separate from and releasably mounted to a booster rocket assembly. A crew compartment module is provided that is separate from and releasably mounted to the main body. A propellant system is operably coupled to the crew compartment module so as to propel the crew compartment module from the main body during an emergency procedure. An orientation control system is coupled to the propellant system such that the orientation control system maintains the crew compartment module in a predetermined attitude during the emergency procedure. A pair of aerodynamic lifting wings extend from the main body to provide aerodynamic lift to the main body to permit the main body to return from the orbit and land.

Growing community of inventors

Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey J Cronick