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:
Nov. 17, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 12, 2012
The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA (US);
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, TX (US);
Anthony D. Griffith, Sr., Houston, TX (US);
Rajiv Kohli, Houston, TX (US);
Susan H. Burns, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Stephen J. Damico, League City, TX (US);
David J. Gruber, Friendswood, TX (US);
Christsopher J. Hickey, Houston, TX (US);
David E. Lee, Houston, TX (US);
Travis M. Robinson, Friendswood, TX (US);
Jason T. Smith, Friendswood, TX (US);
Peter T. Spehar, Seabrook, TX (US);
David S. Adlis, Seabrook, TX (US);
Brian M. Kent, Dayton, OH (US);
The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA (US);
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
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.