# US 8,464,983 B2 · Towing apparatus for a spacecraft when in orbit and a towing spacecraft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,983 B2 - Document ID: US8464983B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/023,566 - Filed: 2011-02-09 - Published: 2011-08-11 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2010-02-10 - Assignees: Astrium GmbH - Applicants: Ulrich Knirsch - Inventors: Ulrich Knirsch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464983B2 ## CPC - B64G 1/1081: {for debris removal} - B64G 1/6462: {characterised by the means for engaging other vehicles} - B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR ## Abstract A towing apparatus for a spacecraft when in orbit is provided. The towing apparatus includes a cable, the first end of which is intended to be permanently connected to a spacecraft that must potentially be towed, and the second end of which is provided to be at least temporarily connected to a towing spacecraft for the purpose of towing. An attachment piece is disposed on the second end of the cable for mechanical attachment to a complementary attachment piece of the towing spacecraft, and a positioning aid is disposed to allow for simplified detection of the attachment piece by the towing spacecraft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A towing apparatus for a spacecraft that may be potentially towed when in orbit, the towing apparatus comprising: a cable, the first end of which is permanently connected to the spacecraft, and the second end of which is at least temporarily connectable to a towing spacecraft for the purpose of towing; an attachment piece disposed on the second end of the cable, the attachment piece is mechanically attachable to a complementary attachment piece of the towing spacecraft; a positioning aid disposed on the cable to allow for detection of the attachment piece by the towing spacecraft; a cable receiver that stores the cable; and a release device configured to issue an actuation signal to the cable receiver when both: (i) an approach of the towing spacecraft is detected and (ii) a malfunction of the spacecraft containing the towing apparatus is detected, wherein the cable receiver is configured to extend the cable for attachment to the complementary attachment piece of the towing spacecraft in order to tow the spacecraft containing the towing apparatus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mass is disposed on the second end of the cable, the mass being constituted in such a way as to reduce the tumbling motion of the cable or of the satellite. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The towing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mass is provided by the attachment piece or the positioning aid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cable is of a length measuring from 5 to 25 m. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The towing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cable is of a length measuring from 8 to 12 m. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The towing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cable is of a length of 10 m. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment piece is a standardized adapter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning aid includes a reflector or a permanent magnet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the release device is electrically operated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The towing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the release device has an independent power supply. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The towing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the independent power supply is a solar cell. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The towing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the release device is able to be operated mechanically. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The towing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: detection means connected to the release device, the detection means detecting the approach of a towing spacecraft and supplies the release device with the actuation signal when a certain relative distance falls below a specified value so as to initiate the extending of the cable. ### Claim 14 A spacecraft, comprising: a towing apparatus, the towing apparatus comprising a cable, the first end of which is permanently connected to the spacecraft, and the second end of which is at least temporarily connectable to a towing spacecraft for the purpose of towing; an attachment piece disposed on the second end of the cable, the attachment piece is mechanically attachable to a complementary attachment piece of the towing spacecraft; a positioning aid disposed on the cable to allow for detection of the attachment piece by the towing spacecraft; a cable receiver that stores the cable; and a release device configured to issue an actuation signal to the cable receiver when both: (i) an approach of the towing spacecraft is detected and (ii) a malfunction of the spacecraft containing the towing apparatus is first detected, wherein the cable receiver is configured to extend the cable for attachment to the complementary attachment piece of the towing spacecraft in order to tow the spacecraft containing the towing apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The towing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising: detection means connected to the release device, the detection means detecting the approach of a towing spacecraft and supplies the release device with the actuation signal when a certain relative distance falls below a specified value so as to initiate the extending of the cable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The towing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the release device has an independent power supply that is a solar cell.