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A satellite maintenance system for satellite stations orbiting in the geosynchronous corridor comprising a roving satellite maintenance vehicle capable of operating autonomously in the geosynchronous corridor and containing replacement hardware in modular form by which maintenance operation can be m

A satellite maintenance system for satellite stations orbiting in the geosynchronous corridor comprising a roving satellite maintenance vehicle capable of operating autonomously in the geosynchronous corridor and containing replacement hardware in modular form by which maintenance operation can be made on the satellite station by the exchange of one module for another thereby repairing or upgrading the hardware in the satellite station to prolong its useful life. The maintenance vehicle is capable of operating in the corridor for prolonged periods of time in a standby mode and capable of proceeding, on command, to the satellite station to perform the maintenance function automatically.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for servicing orbiting satellite stations comprising, a maintenance vehicle capable of orbiting in the geosynchronous corridor and having means for rendezvousing and berthing with said satellite on command from another source, means in said vehicle for replacing parts of said satellite with

A system for servicing orbiting satellite stations comprising, a maintenance vehicle capable of orbiting in the geosynchronous corridor and having means for rendezvousing and berthing with said satellite on command from another source, means in said vehicle for replacing parts of said satellite with parts from said vehicle when said vehicle is berthed with said satellite for repair and maintenance of said satellite, said parts of said orbiting satellite are operating hardware packed in modules similar to the module in said orbiting satellite, and a rotatable circular cradle with said modules located in said cradle, said vehicle further including means for positioning an empty position in said cradle adjacent said orbiting satellite for removing a module to be replaced and rotating said cradle so that a module is juxtaposed the now empty position in the satellite and for ejecting a new module into said satellite.