Altius Space Machines Inc.

Other

Voyager Technologies, Inc.

Voyager Space IP Holdings, LLC

Jonathan Andrew Goff

William George Bolton

Joshua Charles Nelson

Geoffrey Thomas Licciardello

Calvin James Murphy

Andreas Jochum

Steven Wendell Hoyt

Shreya Udupa

Michael Ivan Judson, Jr

Forrest Peter Ryan

Michel Edward Loucks

Kirk David Dameron

A fluid transfer interface is provided. The fluid transfer interface includes one or more of first and second interface portions. The first interface portion includes a first portion of a fluid connector and one or more ferromagnetic surfaces. The second interface portion includes an extendable second portion of the fluid connector and one or more electropermanent magnets, laterally disposed around the second portion of the fluid connector, configured to be magnetized or demagnetized in unison. The one or more electropermanent magnets are further configured to provide attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when magnetized and couple the first interface portion to the second interface portion and provide no attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when demagnetized and allow the first interface portion to be decoupled from the second interface portion.

Fluid transfer interface

A method is provided. The method includes axially aligning a carrier portion of a separable robotic interface with a probe portion, the carrier portion coupled to a free end of a robotic arm, sliding the carrier portion over the probe portion in response to radially orienting a first alignment feature between the probe portion and the carrier portion, and in response compressing a spring-loaded plug in the carrier portion to release one or more ball bearings to make contact with an outer surface of the probe portion, the plug radially coupled to the carrier portion through a second alignment feature, seating the one or more ball bearings into matching recesses in the outer surface in response to sliding the carrier portion over the probe portion a predetermined distance, and rotating a locking ring of the carrier portion to axially lock the carrier portion to the probe portion.

Separable robotic interface

A modular service interface is provided. The modular service interface includes separable first and second halves, one or more alignment features, a connector interface and one or more electropermanent magnet modules, connector interface configured to mate the first and second halves when activated and allow the first and second halves to be separated when inactivated. The modular service interface includes no mechanical actuators to retain the first half to the second half.

Modular service interface

A separable robotic interface includes a carrier portion, configured to attach to a free end of a robotic arm, and a probe portion, configured to be attached to a toolhead. The carrier portion includes a spring-loaded plug, coaxial with and arranged to slide lengthwise within the carrier portion, one or more ball bearings, arranged within holes of the carrier portion, and an axial lock feature. The probe portion may include a probe, which includes one or more recesses on lateral exterior surfaces of the probe and configured to receive ball bearings in order to axially lock the carrier portion to the probe portion in response to the probe portion inserted a predetermined distance into the carrier portion and the axial lock feature is activated. The probe portion is further configured to radially align with the carrier portion in response to an alignment feature engages the carrier portion.

A capture interface is provided. The capture interface is configured to be rigidly affixed to an external surface of a recovery object and captured by a capture device. The capture interface includes a matte ferromagnetic surface of flat disposition and geometric outline, configured to facilitate capture by the capture device. The ferromagnetic surface includes a capture interface identifier.

Robotic capture interface

A device for non-cooperatively capturing an object is provided. The device includes a boom having a fixed end coupled to a structure and a free end. The boom also includes boom deployers for moving the fixed end of the boom relative to the structure. The device also includes a capture head, coupled to the free end of the boom, and a control apparatus. The control apparatus controls the boom deployers and capture head to move the capture head in close proximity to the object. The control apparatus moves the capture head in closer proximity to the object if the capture head is not close enough to the object to capture the object. The control apparatus minimizes forces applied to the object, and activates a non-cooperative capture device. The non-cooperative capture device makes initial contact with the object, establishes intimate contact with the object, and captures the object.

Sticky boom non-cooperative capture device

A method for delivering a payload to a space facility is provided. The method includes detecting the relative position and velocity of a launch vehicle stage, the launch vehicle stage including the payload and one or more thrusters. The method also includes providing guidance information to the launch vehicle stage. The launch vehicle stage does not include a relative navigation system. In response to receiving the guidance information, the method further includes activating one or more thrusters corresponding to the guidance information, and guiding a capture head of a boom into capture proximity to the payload. One end of the boom is coupled to the space facility and the other end of the boom is coupled to the capture head. The method also includes capturing the payload, removing any residual relative velocity of the payload relative to the space facility, and moving the captured payload to the space facility.

Growing community of inventors

Lafayette, CO, United States of America

Jonathan Andrew Goff