Kinetic capture of orbital debris
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorJonathan Agnew
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods for kinetically capturing orbital debris. The system actively seeks and captures debris in orbit and serves as a payload adaptor. The system releasably supports the payload on a rocket. The system releases the payload and then separates from the rocket and inserts into a debris collision orbit. The system may include thrusters and a flight control system. The system includes an impact structure that deforms upon impact and retains therein the debris. The system can capture small debris, such as 1 cm in width or less. The impact structure may be formed of a metal foam composite, such as an open-cell metal foam sandwiched by metallic layers. The system may be included in a launch vehicle system having multiple stages.
Claims20
A rocket system comprising:
- a rocket;
- a payload;
- and
- a debris capture system releasably coupled between the rocket and the payload, the debris capture system comprising:
- a base;
- and
- an impact structure coupled to the base, the impact structure comprising a metal foam composite configured to receive and retain therein orbital debris, wherein the debris capture system is configured to be released from the rocket after the payload is released from the debris capture system.
An orbital debris capture system comprising:
- an impact structure configured to deform upon impact with orbital debris thereby retaining the orbital debris after impact;
- a first release system configured to releasably couple the orbital debris capture system with a payload;
- a second release system configured to releasably couple the orbital debris capture system with a rocket;
- and
- a flight control system configured to insert the orbital debris capture system into a debris collision orbit after release from the rocket.
An orbital debris capture system comprising:
- an impact structure configured to deform upon impact with orbital debris thereby retaining the orbital debris after impact;
- and
- a control system comprising:
- one or more processors;
- and
- one or more memories having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the orbital debris capture system to perform a method of capturing orbital debris, the method comprising:
- releasing a payload from the orbital debris capture system;
- releasing the orbital debris capture system from a rocket;
- and
- inserting the orbital debris capture system into a debris collision orbit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.