Space debris removal
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorMichael J. Dunn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method comprises removing space debris having a relatively low ballistic coefficient by hastening orbital decay of the debris. A transient gaseous cloud is created at an altitude of at least 100 km above Earth. The cloud has a density sufficient to slow the debris so the debris falls into Earth's atmosphere.
Claims15
A method for removing space debris having a relatively low ballistic coefficient, the method comprising performing a Prandtl-Meyer expansion of gas to create a transient gaseous cloud at an altitude of at least 100 km above Earth, the cloud slowing the debris by Newtonian flow drag so the debris falls into Earth's atmosphere.
A method for removing space debris having a relatively low ballistic coefficient, the method comprising performing a Prandtl-Meyer expansion of gas into a gaseous cloud at an altitude of at least 100 km above Earth, the cloud having a density sufficient to slow the space debris so the debris falls into Earth's atmosphere, the cloud not targeting any specific debris.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.