Airbus Ds Gmbh

Astrium Gmbh

Airbus Defence and Space Gmbh

Ulrich Knirsch

Matti Haeberlein

Matti Häberlein

An electrically powered propulsion system for a spacecraft includes a first center of gravity at a first time of operation and a second center of gravity at a second time of operation, where the second center of gravity is different from the first center of gravity. The electrically powered propulsion system includes a thruster realignment mechanism and at least two thrusters coupled to the thruster realignment mechanism. Each of the at least two thrusters has an individual thrust vector. The thruster realignment mechanism is adapted such that, in a first position, the individual thrust vectors of the at least two thrusters pass through the first center of gravity and that, in a second position, the individual thrust vectors of the at least two thrusters pass through the second center of gravity. The thruster realignment mechanism holds the first position in the event all of the at least two thrusters are without any failure. In addition, the thruster realignment mechanism realigns the thrusters to the second position in the event of at least one of (i) a failure of one of the at least two thrusters, and (ii) a predetermined time criterion is fulfilled.

Electrically powered propulsion system for use in a spacecraft

A landing device for a low gravity lander having a main body. The landing device comprises a number of leg-like rods attached to the main body, wherein, in a deployment position of the rods, each of the number of rods is inclined with regard to a plane of a first side surface of the main body such that the rods substantially extend in a direction of movement of the low gravity lander. Furthermore, the number of rods is made such that they bend or buckle under forces within a predetermined range by an impact due to a landing on a landing surface, thereby absorbing an impact momentum.

Landing device for a low gravity lander

A towing apparatus for a spacecraft when in orbit is provided. The towing apparatus includes a cable, the first end of which is intended to be permanently connected to a spacecraft that must potentially be towed, and the second end of which is provided to be at least temporarily connected to a towing spacecraft for the purpose of towing. An attachment piece is disposed on the second end of the cable for mechanical attachment to a complementary attachment piece of the towing spacecraft, and a positioning aid is disposed to allow for simplified detection of the attachment piece by the towing spacecraft.

Growing community of inventors

Markdorf, Germany

Ulrich Knirsch