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In a space platform supply system, a canister containing supply for a space platform is launched into orbit using a launch vehicle. An intermediate space vehicle rendezvous and docks with the canister while the attached launch vehicle provides the necessary orbit maintenance and stabilization to ena

In a space platform supply system, a canister containing supply for a space platform is launched into orbit using a launch vehicle. An intermediate space vehicle rendezvous and docks with the canister while the attached launch vehicle provides the necessary orbit maintenance and stabilization to enable the docking. After docking, the intermediate space vehicle detaches the canister from the launch vehicle element or the launch vehicle element may initiate detachment from the intermediate space vehicle/canister. In either event, the intermediate space vehicle then can provide propulsion and attitude control to allow the canister to be transported to and docked with the space platform being supplied, thus eliminating the need for the canister to include propulsion and attitude control of its own.

대표청구항 ▼

In a space platform supply system, a canister containing supply for a space platform is launched into orbit using a launch vehicle. An intermediate space vehicle rendezvous and docks with the canister while the attached launch vehicle provides the necessary orbit maintenance and stabilization to ena

In a space platform supply system, a canister containing supply for a space platform is launched into orbit using a launch vehicle. An intermediate space vehicle rendezvous and docks with the canister while the attached launch vehicle provides the necessary orbit maintenance and stabilization to enable the docking. After docking, the intermediate space vehicle detaches the canister from the launch vehicle element or the launch vehicle element may initiate detachment from the intermediate space vehicle/canister. In either event, the intermediate space vehicle then can provide propulsion and attitude control to allow the canister to be transported to and docked with the space platform being supplied, thus eliminating the need for the canister to include propulsion and attitude control of its own. a source of the radiation signal and said reflector; and a propeller that rotates in response to the passage of fluid thereover, connected to said chopping wheel to facilitate rotation thereof; and a detector, mounted on said first object, to receive the reflected radiation signal. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said detector is a radiation detector. 13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a position determining system coupled to said detector. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein said fluid-motion-powered modulated reflector further comprises a frequency selector to control the speed of rotation of said chopping wheel such that the radiation signal is modulated by said chopping wheel in accordance with the speed of rotation of said chopping wheel. 15. The system of claim 11, comprising a plurality of fluid-motion-powered modulated reflectors. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said frequency selector of each fluid-motion-powered modulated reflector controls the speed of rotation of said chopping wheel such that the radiation signal is modulated by said chopping wheel in accordance with the speed of rotation of said chopping wheel. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein said reflectors are positioned in a predetermined array and predisposed in a direction to reflect the radiation signals. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein each frequency selector controls the speed of rotation of said chopping wheel such that the radiation signal is modulated by said chopping wheel in accordance with the speed of rotation of said chopping wheel to be predetermined and different from any other reflected radiation signal modulated in said array. 19. The system of claim 11, wherein said first object is a refueling aircraft and said second object is a tanker aircraft. 20. The system of claim 11, wherein said first object is an unmanned combat air vehicle. 21. A fluid-motion-powered modulated reflector apparatus comprising: a reflector for reflecting at least a portion of a radiation signal incident thereon; a rotatable polarizing filter disposed between a source of the radiation signal and said reflector; a propeller that rotates in response to the passage of fluid thereover connected to said rotatable polarizing filter to facilitate rotation therewith; and a fixed polarizing filter covering the reflective face of said reflector and disposed between said rotatable polarizing filter and said reflector or disposed in front of said rotatable polarizing filter and said reflector. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a frequency selector to control the speed of rotation of said propeller such that the radiation signal is modulated by said rotatable polarizing filter in accordance with the speed of rotation of said propeller. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said reflector is a retroreflector. 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said reflector is a corner-cube retroreflector. 25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said reflector is an array of retroreflectors, a reflective tape, or a reflective coating. 26. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a shaft to which said rotatable polarizing filter and said frequency selector are mounted. 27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said frequency selector is a governor. 28. A method of modulating a radiation signal with a rotatable polarizing filter having a propeller connected thereto, comprising the steps of: passing said propeller through a fluid to cause rotation of said rotatable polarizing filter; controlling an angular velocity of said polarizing filter; propagating an incident radiation signal through said rotatable polarizing filter and a fixed polarizing filter such that the radiation signal is polarized; reflecting at least a portion of the radiation signal to produce a reflected radiation signal; and propagating the reflected radiation signal through said rotatable polarizing filter and said fixed polarizing filter. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein controlling the angular velocity of said rotatable polarizing filter comprises limiting a maximum angular velocity of said rotatable polarizing filter. 30. A system for determining relative positions of first and second in-flight objects, comprising: a source of radiation carried by said first object; at least one fluid-motion-powered modulated reflector, mounted on said second object for reflecting a radiation signal, wherein said fluid-motion-powered modulated reflector comprises: a reflector for reflecting at least a portion of the radiation signal incident thereon; a rotatable polarizing filter disposed between a source of the radiation signal and said reflector; a fixed polarizing filter covering the reflective face of said reflector and disposed between said rotatable polarizing filter and said reflector or disposed in front of said rotatable polarizing filter and said reflector; and a propeller that rotates in response to the passage of fluid thereover connected to said rotatable polarizing filter to facilitate rotation therewith; and a detector, mounted on said first object, to receive the reflected radiation signal. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein said detector is a radiation detector. 32. The system of claim 30, further comprising a position determining system coupled to said detector. 33. The system of claim 30, wherein said fluid-motion-powered modulated reflector further comprises a frequency selector to control the speed of rotation of said polarizing filter such that the radiation signal is modulated by said rotatable polarizing filter in accordance with the speed of rotation of said rotatable polarizing filter. 34. The system of claim 30, comprising a plurality of fluid-motion-powered modulated reflectors. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein said frequency selector of each fluid-motion-powered modulated reflector controls the speed of rotation of said rotatable polarizing filter such that the radiation signal is modulated by said rotatable polarizing filter in accordance with the speed of rotation of said rotatable polarizing filter. 36. The system of claim 34, wherein said reflectors are positioned in a predetermined array and predisposed to reflect the radiation signal. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein said frequency selector of each fluid-motion-powered modulated reflector controls the speed of rotation of said rotatable polarizing filter such that the radiation signal is modulated by said rotatable polarizing filter in accordance with the speed of rotation of said rotatable polarizing filter to be different from any other reflected radiation signal modulated in said array. 38. The system of claim 30, wherein said first object is a refueling aircraft and said second object is a tanker aircraft. 39. The system of claim 30, wherein said first object is an unmanned combat air vehicle.