The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 22, 2000
William D. Nygren, Jr., Denver, CO (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
A system and method for docking a space object to a space travel vehicle is disclosed. The space travel vehicle includes a frame assembly which may be deployed into an at least generally funnel-shaped profile at the desired time. A web of sorts is attached to the frame assembly and is disposed into an at least generally funnel-profile by the deployment of the frame assembly as well. In one embodiment the web is in the form of a plurality of Velcro tape members. A space object contacting the web is detachably adhered thereto by including suitable fasteners on the space object as well. Retraction of the frame assembly directs the space object into a space object receptacle of the space travel vehicle, detaches the tapes from the captured space object, and retains the captured space object within the space object receptacle. After the captured space object has been retrieved, the frame assembly may thereafter be deployed to capture another space object in the above-described manner.