Spacecraft servicing devices and related assemblies, systems, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023365275-A1
Application number	US-202318225137-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 23, 2023
Priority date	Jul 21, 2017
Publication date	Nov 16, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Spacecraft servicing devices and related methods may include a propellant tank configured to store a propellant and to be placed into fluid communication with a portion of the target spacecraft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A spacecraft servicing pod, comprising:
a body including a coupling device; a propellant tank configured to store at least one propellant and to be placed into fluid communication with a portion of a target spacecraft, the spacecraft servicing pod configured to supply at least a portion of the at least one propellant from the propellant tank to the target spacecraft during at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft while being coupled to the target spacecraft with the coupling device, the spacecraft servicing pod configured to be retrieved from a selected orbit in space with a host spacecraft and to be allocated to a target spacecraft in order to supply the target spacecraft with the at least a portion of the at least one propellant of the propellant tank of the spacecraft servicing pod; and a propulsion device coupled to the body for maneuvering the spacecraft servicing pod.

2 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 1 , wherein the spacecraft servicing pod is configured, when coupled to the target spacecraft, to supply the at least one propellant to the target spacecraft to alter at least one of an orbit or a velocity of the target spacecraft without refueling the target spacecraft.

3 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 2 , wherein the propulsion device is coupled to the body by a boom arm.

4 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 3 , wherein the boom arm is coupled to the body at a location proximate the coupling device.

5 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 4 , wherein the boom arm is configured to rotate relative to the body and to rotate at least partially about the coupling device.

6 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 1 , wherein the coupling device is configured to modify the target spacecraft in order to place the propellant tank in fluid communication with a propulsion device of the target spacecraft.

7 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 1 , wherein the spacecraft servicing pod is configured to modify the target spacecraft in order to place the propellant tank in fluid communication with the target spacecraft.

8 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 1 , wherein the coupling device comprises an expandable docking mechanism coupled to the body.

9 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 8 , wherein the expandable docking mechanism comprises a distal end having a barb for coupling to the target spacecraft.

10 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 1 , wherein the propellant tank is configured to act as an external replacement tank for the target spacecraft.

11 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 1 , further comprising a mating adapter for coupling the propellant tank to a fuel system of the target spacecraft.

12 . The spacecraft servicing pod of claim 1 , further comprising a regulator for controlling a pressure of the at least one propellant supplied to a fuel system of the target spacecraft from the propellant tank.

13 . A mission extension pod comprising:
a body; a coupling device on the body; and a propellant tank, the propellant tank configured to store at least one propellant and to be placed into fluid communication with a portion of a target spacecraft, the mission extension pod configured to supply at least a portion of the at least one propellant from the propellant tank to the target spacecraft during at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft while being coupled to the target spacecraft.

14 . The mission extension pod of claim 13 , further comprising a propulsion device coupled to the body for maneuvering the mission extension pod.

15 . The mission extension pod of claim 14 , wherein the propulsion device and the coupling device are positioned on the same side of the body.

16 . The mission extension pod of claim 15 , wherein the propulsion device is configured to rotate at least partially around the coupling device.

17 . The mission extension pod of claim 13 , wherein the mission extension pod lacks a propulsion device for independently moving the mission extension pod.

18 . A method of supplying a propellant to a target spacecraft with one or more mission extension pods, the method comprising:
flying the one or more mission extension pods comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component from an orbit in space to the target spacecraft; coupling the one or more mission extension pods to the target spacecraft; and supplying at least a portion of a propellant from a propellant tank of the one or more mission extension pods to a propulsion system of the target spacecraft via fluid channels of the propulsion system.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising configuring the one or more mission extension pods with a propulsion system.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising moving the one or more mission extension pods in space with the propulsion system.

Assignees

• Northrop Grumman Systems Corp

Inventors

• Nicholson James Garret
• Meyer Thomas Fred
• Guadagnoli Daniel

Classifications

• B64G1/2427

  Transfer orbits · CPC title

• B64G1/1078 Primary

  Maintenance satellites (refuelling in space B64G1/4024) · CPC title

• B64G1/646 Primary

  Docking or rendezvous systems (refuelling in space B64G1/4024) · CPC title

• B64G1/402

  Propellant tanks; Feeding propellants · CPC title

• B64G1/40

  Arrangements or adaptations of propulsion systems · CPC title