US 12,623,794 B2 · Attachment systems for augmenting satellites

Abstract

Retrofittable satellite systems for an in-orbit host satellite comprising an enhancement module for adding a capability to the in-orbit host satellite, modifying the function of the in-orbit host satellite, and/or extending the function of the in-orbit host satellite. The in-orbit, retrofittable satellite system comprises a transfer vehicle for transferring the enhancement module from a first to a second location and a service vehicle for receiving the enhancement module from the transfer vehicle and installing the enhancement module on the in-orbit host satellite. In-orbit space situational awareness systems, comprising one or more in-orbit host satellites having one or more enhancement modules attached thereto, the enhancement modules comprising sensors such as satellite spatial location/position sensors, range sensors, navigation sensors, and/or proximity sensors for detecting other objects in-orbit, their location, speed, acceleration, orbital trajectory or the like, wherein the enhancement modules communicate to create a mesh network between the satellites. Clamps may be provided for attaching the enhancement module to an existing structural component of the in-orbit host satellite.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A system for upgrading an in-orbit host satellite with an enhancement module, wherein the in-orbit host satellite is without an independent attachment interface for receiving the enhancement module, the system comprising:

the in-orbit host satellite;
the enhancement module;
the enhancement module having a payload for adding a new capability to the in-orbit host satellite, the enhancement module further comprising:
at least one of an independent power subsystem and an independent communications subsystem such that the enhancement module does not require power or data connection to the in-orbit host satellite;
and
a clamp to attach the enhancement module to an existing structural component of the in-orbit host satellite, wherein after the enhancement module is attached to the in-orbit host satellite, running a calibration routine using state data from both the in-orbit host satellite and the enhancement module to determine a relative orientation of the enhancement module to the in-orbit host satellite;
and
an enhancement module transmitter, the enhancement module transmitter providing communication of enhancement module data with a communications device remote from the in-orbit host satellite, the enhancement module data comprising at least one of an enhancement module state information and an enhancement module payload data.

5 more elements

A system for upgrading multiple in-orbit host satellites with enhancement modules, wherein the in-orbit host satellites are without independent attachment interfaces for receiving the enhancement modules, the system comprising;

multiple in-orbit host satellites;
at least two enhancement modules;
the enhancement modules each having a payload configured to add at least one new capability to the multiple in-orbit host satellites, each enhancement module further comprising:
at least one of an independent power subsystem and an independent communications subsystem such that the enhancement module does not require power or data connection to any of the multiple in-orbit host satellite;
and
a clamp to attach the enhancement module to an existing structural component of one of the multiple in-orbit host satellites, wherein after each enhancement module is attached to that in-orbit host satellite, running a calibration routine using state data from both that in-orbit host satellite and the enhancement module to determine a relative orientation of the enhancement module to that in-orbit host satellite;
and
an enhancement module transmitter, the enhancement module transmitter providing communication of enhancement module data with a communications device remote from the multiple in-orbit host satellites, the enhancement module data comprising at least one of an enhancement module state information and an enhancement module payload data.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Attachment systems for augmenting satellites

Life of this patent

Attachment systems for augmenting satellites

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21