Debris management system and method of operation thereof
OwnerDaniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicerinventors
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Abstract
A debris management system for use in space and a method of controlling space debris is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of material sections, coupled to the frame, that cooperate to form a material structure when deployed from the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to the plurality of material sections, each one of the plurality including propulsion units configured to eject the each one relative to the frame and pull the plurality of material sections to deploy the plurality of material sections to form the material structure.
Claims20
A debris management system for use in space, comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of material sections, coupled to said frame, that cooperate to form a material structure when deployed from said frame;
- and
- a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to said plurality of material sections, each one of said plurality including propulsion units configured to eject said each one relative to said frame and pull said plurality of material sections to deploy said plurality of material sections to form said material structure.
A method of controlling space debris, comprising:
- causing a plurality of microvehicles to be ejected relative to a frame of a debris management system employing propulsion units of said microvehicles, said plurality of microvehicles being tethered to a plurality of material sections;
- consequently causing said plurality of material sections to be deployed, said plurality of material sections cooperating to form a material structure;
- intercepting said space debris employing said material structure;
- and
- controlling movement of said space debris employing said plurality of microvehicles and said material structure.
A debris management system for space, comprising:
- a frame including a base;
- a plurality of material sections coupled to said frame;
- a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to said plurality of material sections, having propulsion units, a reaction control system and an electrical power system, said plurality of microvehicles configured to employ said propulsion units to be ejected relative to said frame and deploy said plurality of material sections by pulling an outer edge of said plurality of material sections away from said frame, said plurality of material sections cooperating to form a material structure;
- and
- an enclosure fairing hingedly coupled to said base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.