Systems and methods for maintenance of a spacecraft constellation
AssigneeMomentus Space LLC
InventorsRobert Erik Schwarz, Yash Chandramouli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for maintenance of a spacecraft constellation comprises a first spacecraft, configured to perform a primary mission while maintaining a primary orbit, and a second spacecraft. The second spacecraft is configured to perform the primary mission while maintaining the primary orbit and to determine a failure of the first spacecraft. The second spacecraft is further configured to, at least in part responsive to determining the failure of the first spacecraft, perform a secondary mission, wherein the secondary mission includes removing the first spacecraft from the primary orbit by the second spacecraft.
Claims29
A system for maintenance of a spacecraft constellation, the system comprising:
- a first spacecraft configured to perform a primary mission while maintaining a primary orbit;
- a second spacecraft that includes a deployable mechanical tethering device, wherein the second spacecraft is configured to:
- perform the primary mission while maintaining the primary orbit;
- determine a failure of the first spacecraft, wherein determining the failure of the first spacecraft includes receiving, by the second spacecraft, a telecommand from a ground station;
- and
- at least in part responsive to determining the failure of the first spacecraft, perform a secondary mission, wherein the secondary mission includes removing the first spacecraft from the primary orbit by the second spacecraft,
- wherein to remove the first spacecraft from the primary orbit, the secondary mission further includes:
- performing, by the second spacecraft, an orbital maneuver to rendezvous with the first spacecraft;
- deploying, by the second spacecraft, the deployable mechanical tethering device to form a mechanical connection with the first spacecraft;
- and
- transporting the first spacecraft to a service orbit;
- and
- a third spacecraft configured to:
- rendezvous with the first spacecraft at the service orbit;
- and
- either (i) service the first spacecraft at the service orbit, or (ii) move the first spacecraft to a fast-decaying disposal orbit.
A method for maintenance of a spacecraft constellation, the method comprising:
- performing, by a first spacecraft, a primary mission while maintaining a primary orbit;
- performing, by a second spacecraft that includes a deployable mechanical tethering device, the primary mission while maintaining the primary orbit;
- determining, by the second spacecraft, a failure of the first spacecraft, wherein determining the failure of the first spacecraft includes receiving, by the second spacecraft, a telecommand from a ground station;
- performing, by the second spacecraft and at least in part responsive to determining the failure of the first spacecraft, a secondary mission, wherein performing the secondary mission includes removing the first spacecraft from the primary orbit by the second spacecraft,
- wherein performing the secondary mission further includes:
- performing, by the second spacecraft, an orbital maneuver to rendezvous with the first spacecraft;
- deploying, by the second spacecraft, a deployable mechanical connection device to form a mechanical connection with the first spacecraft;
- and
- transporting, by the second spacecraft, the first spacecraft to a service orbit;
- maneuvering, by a third spacecraft, to rendezvous with the first spacecraft at the service orbit;
- and
- either (i) servicing the first spacecraft at the service orbit, or (ii) transporting the first spacecraft to a fast-decaying disposal orbit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.