초록 ▼

An in-space spacecraft servicing system (10) includes a servicing spacecraft (22) and a propellant module (24). The servicing spacecraft includes a client servicing system (136), as well as navigation avionics (108) for independent flight operation and a servicing propellant tank (170). The propella

An in-space spacecraft servicing system (10) includes a servicing spacecraft (22) and a propellant module (24). The servicing spacecraft includes a client servicing system (136), as well as navigation avionics (108) for independent flight operation and a servicing propellant tank (170). The propellant module moves the servicing module from an upper stage drop off location and releases it in proximity to a client spacecraft (16) for a servicing mission. It has a propellant tank (172) with capacity for multiple missions and is used to refill the servicing spacecraft's propellant tanks between missions. Either or both the servicing spacecraft and the propellant module may have navigation avionics. The servicing spacecraft also has a universal docking adaptor (70) for different client spacecraft, and can convert a client spacecraft from non-cooperative to cooperative.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An in-space spacecraft servicing system for performing multiple client spacecraft servicing missions comprising: a servicing spacecraft having a guidance navigation and control system for independent flight operation during a client spacecraft servicing mission, and a servici

What is claimed is: 1. An in-space spacecraft servicing system for performing multiple client spacecraft servicing missions comprising: a servicing spacecraft having a guidance navigation and control system for independent flight operation during a client spacecraft servicing mission, and a servicing propulsion system including a servicing propellant tank for holding propellant to be used by the servicing propulsion system for enabling its independent flight operation, and a propellant module having a multi-mission propulsion system including at least one propellant tank for holding sufficient propellant to be used by the multi-mission propulsion system and the servicing propulsion system, and a docking system for docking said service spacecraft on said propellant module and for releasing the service spacecraft for independent flight operation during a client spacecraft servicing mission, wherein said servicing spacecraft further comprises a propellant transfer servicing system for transferring propellant from its propellant tank to a propellant tank of a client spacecraft, said propellant transfer servicing system comprising a robotic arm having multiple sections that are pivotably coupled to each other in series, a distal section of said multiple sections having a propellant transfer coupling end for coupling with a propellant transfer coupling of said client spacecraft, said robotic arm comprising a first motor that drives pivoting of said distal section relative to a next section of said multiple sections, said next section and said distal section being pivotably coupled to each other, and further comprises a second motor that drives pivoting of said next section relative to another section of said multiple sections, said next section and said another section being pivotably coupled to each other, and a controller for controlling the operation of said first and second motors and the transfer of propellant from said propellant tank of said servicing spacecraft to said propellant tank of said client spacecraft via said propellant transfer coupling end of said distal section of said robotic arm when said propellant transfer coupling end of said distal section of said robotic arm is coupled to said propellant transfer coupling of said client spacecraft. 2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said propellant module and said servicing spacecraft are moved together between a plurality of client spacecraft positions on multiple client spacecraft servicing missions by moving the two units docked together into proximity of each client spacecraft in turn and releasing the service spacecraft from the propellant module for each client spacecraft servicing mission. 3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said propellant module has its own guidance navigation and control system, and said servicing spacecraft when docked to said propellant module operates in a power save mode wherein said propellant module performs propulsion and navigation tasks for both of said servicing spacecraft and said propellant module. 4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said servicing spacecraft when docked to said propellant module provides guidance navigation and control for moving both of said servicing spacecraft and said propellant module together. 5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said propellant module has its own guidance navigation and control system, and maintains the propellant module in a stable orbital path in proximity to a client spacecraft when the servicing spacecraft is released therefrom to perform a client spacecraft servicing mission. 6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said servicing spacecraft has a communication system for communicating with said propellant module and not with any ground tracking system. 7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said servicing spacecraft has a communication system for communicating with a ground tracking system. 8. A system as in claim 1, wherein said servicing spacecraft has a universal docking adaptor for docking with said propellant module and with a plurality of client spacecraft. 9. A system as in claim 8, wherein said universal docking adaptor comprises a plurality of coupling members outwardly extendable to a plurality of positions of different diameters. 10. A system as in claim 8, wherein said universal docking adaptor has a telescoping boom extendable from the servicing spacecraft. 11. A system as in claim 8, wherein said universal docking adaptor is formed with a dual-function coupling adaptor system having a first adaptor that is extended from the servicing spacecraft to be fastened onto a surface of a non-cooperative client spacecraft that lacks a usable docking interface, and a second adaptor coupled to the servicing spacecraft that is adapted to engage with the first adaptor for docking, whereby the universal docking adaptor is used to convert a non-cooperative client spacecraft to a cooperative client spacecraft that has a usable docking interface. 12. A system as in claim 8, wherein said universal docking adaptor is provided with a propellant transfer coupling that is connected with a propellant transfer line of said propellant module on redocking. 13. A system as in claim 8, said universal docking adaptor includes at least another component selected from the group consisting of: (i) an adjustable adaptor for coupling to different client spacecraft; (ii) airbags for cushioning contact with a client spacecraft; (iii) pivoting arms for engaging an adaptor ring of a client spacecraft; (iv) an expandable mechanism for expanding within and coupling to an adaptor ring; (v) a telescoping boom for extension toward a client spacecraft; (vi) a client spacecraft thruster probe; and (vii) a cooperative docking attachment for fastening onto a surface of a non-cooperative client spacecraft that lacks a usable docking interface to convert it a cooperative client spacecraft. 14. A system as in claim 8, wherein said universal docking adaptor is configurable to couple to spin-stabilized spacecraft and to body stabilized spacecraft. 15. A system as in claim 1 wherein said propellant transfer servicing system further comprises a self-aligning adaptor attached to said distal member of said robotic arm and comprising a pair of fork members for aligning said propellant transfer coupling end of said distal section of said robotic arm with said propellant transfer coupling of said client spacecraft. 16. A system as in claim 15 wherein said propellant transfer servicing system further comprises a line-bracing tool attached to said distal member of said robotic arm and comprising a pair of hinged side brackets with cutouts for grasping said propellant transfer coupling of the client spacecraft. 17. A method of performing multiple client spacecraft servicing missions comprising: providing an in-space spacecraft servicing system comprising a servicing spacecraft and a propellant module docked together and movable in tandem together to a client spacecraft location; releasing the servicing spacecraft from the propellant module in proximity to the client spacecraft location to perform a client spacecraft servicing mission; docking the servicing spacecraft at a client spacecraft, operating a robotic arm of the servicing spacecraft having multiple sections that are pivotably coupled to each other in series in a manner that allows a propellant transfer coupling end of a distal one of the multiple sections of the robotic arm to be moved along a nonlinear path into alignment with and fluid communication with a propellant transfer coupling of the client spacecraft, and transferring propellant from a propellant tank of the servicing spacecraft to a propellant tank of the client spacecraft via the propellant transfer coupling end of the distal section of the robotic arm, wherein said step of operating said robotic arm comprising activating a first motor to cause said distal section to pivot relative to a next section of said multiple sections of said robotic arm, and activating a second motor to cause said next section to pivot relative to another section of said multiple sections of said robotic arm. 18. A method as in claim 17, wherein multiple client spacecraft servicing missions are performed according to a servicing methodology selected from the group consisting of: (i) redocking and moving the propellant module and the servicing spacecraft together between each of a plurality of client spacecraft locations; (ii) redocking the servicing spacecraft with the propellant module after a client spacecraft servicing mission that includes moving to more than one client spacecraft locations; (iii) having the propellant module perform propulsion and navigation tasks when the servicing spacecraft and propellant module are docked together; (iv) having the servicing spacecraft perform propulsion and navigation tasks when the servicing spacecraft and propellant module are docked together; (v) having a remote ground control perform propulsion and navigation tasks when the servicing spacecraft and propellant module are docked together; (vi) having the servicing spacecraft provided with a universal docking adaptor for docking with the propellant module and a plurality of different client spacecraft; and (vii) having the servicing spacecraft refill a client spacecraft propellant tank. 19. A method as in claim 17, further comprising coupling said propellant transfer coupling end of said distal section of said robotic arm to said propellant transfer coupling of said client spacecraft after alignment and before propellant transfer. 20. A method of resupplying propellant to a client spacecraft in space using a servicing spacecraft, comprising the following steps: docking the servicing spacecraft at the client spacecraft; operating a robotic arm of the servicing spacecraft having multiple sections that are pivotably coupled to each other in series in a manner that allows a propellant transfer coupling end of a distal one of the multiple sections of the robotic arm to be moved along a nonlinear path into alignment with and fluid communication with a propellant transfer coupling of the client spacecraft, and transferring propellant from a propellant tank of the servicing spacecraft to a propellant tank of the client spacecraft via the propellant transfer coupling end of the distal section of the robotic arm, wherein said step of operating said robotic arm comprising activating a first motor to cause said distal section to pivot relative to a next section of said multiple sections of said robotic arm, and activating a second motor to cause said next section to pivot relative to another section of said multiple sections of said robotic arm.