Travis B Robinson

US Patent:

20140107865, Apr 17, 2014

Filed:

Oct 12, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/650738

Inventors:

- El Segundo CA, US
- 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

Assignee:

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION - Houston TX
THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00
B64G 1/10
B64G 1/62
G05D 1/00

US Classification:

701 2, 701 3, 2441731, 2441733, 2441724, 2441586

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.