Kinetic energy storage and transfer (kest) space launch system
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorRobert Alan Hickman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle and target vehicle kinetic energy transfer method are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle, propelling the target vehicle into a higher orbit or beyond the Earth. This is accomplished by a catching mechanism that contacts the target vehicle. The catching mechanism may also include a braking mechanism configured to accelerate the target vehicle, and thus slow the KEST vehicle, as the catching mechanism and target vehicle travel along one or more tethers of the KEST vehicle. Alternatively, the catching mechanism may be attached to an end of the one or more tethers and be configured to slow the target vehicle as the one or more tethers bend.
Claims28
A space vehicle, comprising:
- a tether comprising a catching mechanism, wherein
- the catching mechanism is configured to engage with a suitable corresponding mechanism on a target vehicle such that the catching mechanism, via the tether, is configured to impart momentum to the target vehicle after the target vehicle contacts the catching mechanism.
A Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle, comprising:
- a tether comprising a catching mechanism positioned on a front of the tether, wherein
- a back of the tether is operably connected to the KEST vehicle, and
- the catching mechanism is configured to engage with a suitable corresponding mechanism on a target vehicle such that the catching mechanism, via the tether, is configured to impart momentum to the target vehicle after the target vehicle contacts the catching mechanism.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a tether comprising a catching mechanism located on a front end of the tether relative to the apparatus, wherein
- the tether precedes in front of the apparatus relative to a direction of motion of the apparatus when engaging with a target vehicle, and
- the catching mechanism is configured to engage with a suitable corresponding mechanism on the target vehicle such that the catching mechanism, via the tether, is configured to impart momentum to the target vehicle after the target vehicle contacts the catching mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.