Apparatus for holding large space debris and satellites

Abstract

A frame 1 attached to hinge means 2, wherein the hinge means is connected to a payload bay of a space vehicle 3. A flexible material and / or mesh and / or net 4 (e.g. composed of fiberglass) is connected

Description

This invention relates to apparatus for holding and containing large space junk and debris and satellites collected from orbit in a payload bay of a space vehicle. 19 07 23 Collecting large pieces of space debris, junk or satellites from orbit requires a large area in a payload bay of a space vehicle to store them. This would be more similar to holding cargo on a cargo flight of an aircraft, however, these are normally losided with the assistance of gravity and ground crew to secure objects safely. In the vacuum of space there is no gravity to assist with securing any objects, and it would be too expensive and dangerous for spacewalks to assist. To overcome this, the present invention proposes apparatus for securing space debris and / or space junk and / or satellites comprising ei frame, wherein said frame is physically connected to hinge means, wherein said hinge means is physically connected with a payload bay of a space vehicle, wherein flexible material and / or mesh and / or net means is physically connected to an inside of said frame wherein said frame has means to cause it to swing in one direction 'wherein said frame has means to prevent said frame from swinging in an opposite direction when swung wherein said frame swings to trap said space debris and / or space junk and / or satellites between said flexible material and / or mesh and / or net means and a part of said payload bay and / or an object in physical communication with said payload bay wherein said frame traps space debris and / or spatce junk and / or satellites against an object attached to rail, means to allow it's position in a payload bay of a space vehicle to be changed to allow an adjustable centre of gravity of said space vehicle depending on the mass of contents of said space debris secured. When the frame swings over the space junk or debris or satellite the space junk or debris or satellite will become trapped against the floor or walls etc. of the payload bay which will secure it in place. Gravity isn't required and the whole operation is carried out with just the swing of the frame which can be operated remotely without requiring any human involvement in the payload bay. Preferably, said frame is swung by spring and / or elastic and / or rubber means . Preferably, said flexible material and / or mesh and / or net is composed of fibreglass . Preferably, said means to prevent said frame from swinging in an opposite direction is a ratchet mechanism. Preferably, said object attached to rail means is a flat surface. Preferably, said object is lined with shock-absorbing foam means. An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings : 19 07 23 - figures 1,2 and 4 show a side view of apparatus for holding large space debris and satellites and; - figure 3 shows a top view of apparatus for holding large space debris and satellites according to the invention. A frame 1 is connected to hinge means 2 which is also connected to the payload bay of a space vehicle 3. The inside of the frame is connected to flexible material or mesh or net means 4. The frame swings in one direction with means to prevent it from swinging in an opposite direction to trap and secure space junk or debris or a satellite 5 between the flexible material or mesh or net and the payload bay of a space vehicle or an object in physical contact with the payload bay. The frame may be swung by a spring or elastic or rubber means 6 and the flexible material or mesh or net may be made of fibreglass and the means that prevents the frame from swinging in an opposite direction may be a ratchet mechanism and the frame may trap the space junk or debris or satellite against an object that may be attached to rails (not shown) to change the centre of gravity of the space vehicle if required due to the mass of the space debris or junk or satellite that's collected, and the object may be a flat surface which may also be lined with shock absorbing foam means (not shown). The shock absorbing foam means helps to avoid any damage caused by the collected space debris being thrown around while the space vehicle is manoeuvring in space or during re-entry. The frame could also be swung by a servo motor or by an electric motor driven pulley or geared lever means or hydraulics (not shown), or a locking pin / bolt 7 could be removed / slid from latch means 8 attached to the frame and a part of the space vehicle 11 to allow the frame to swing under the power of the spring or elastic or rubber means, which has previously been set under tension. The bolt and latch could be operated and reset as required by a servo or solenoid means 12. If using spring or elastic or rubber means to swing the frame pulley means 9 driven by an electric motor (not shown) could retract cord means 10 to reset the frame if required, such as if the object to be secured is pushed away from the frame while the frame is being swung. The ratchet mechanism can be disengaged by servo means mechanically adjusting the ratchet mechanism similar to ratchet mechanism adjustments used on ratchet screwdrivers and torque wrenches (not shown). A spring could push against the frame and the space vehicle to swing the frame or the elastic or rubber could be attached to the frame and the space vehicle to pull the frame to allow the frame to swing. There can be surplus / slack flexible material or mesh or net means inside the frame which helps to mould around the space junk or debris or satellite to help keep it secure and in place when the frame is swung.

Claims

1 Apparatus for securing space debris and / or space junk and / or satellites comprising a frame, wherein said frame is physically connected to hinge means, wherein said hinge means is physically connected with a payload bay of a space vehicle, wherein flexible material and / or mesh and / or net means is physically connected to an inside of said frame wherein said frame has means to cause it to swing in one direction wherein said frame has means to prevent ssiid frame from swinging in an opposite direction when swung wherein said frame swings to trap said space debris and / or space junk and / or satellites between said flexible material and / or mesh and / or net means and a part of said payload bay and / or an object in physical communication with said payload bay wherein said frame traps space debris and / or space junk and / or satellites against an object attached to rail means to allow it’s position in a payload bay of a space vehicle to be changed to allow an adjustable centre of gravity of said space vehicle depending on the mass of contents of said space debris secured.2 Apparatus for securing space debris according to claim 1, wherein said frame is swung by spring and / or elastic and / or rubber means.19 07 233 Apparatus for securing space debris according to any preceding claim,wherein said flexible material and / or mesh and / or net is composed of fibreglass .4 Apparatus for securing space debris according to any preceding claim, wherein said means to prevent said frame from swinging in an opposite direction is a ratchet mechanism.5 Apparatus for securing space debris according' to any preceding claim,wherein said object attached to rail means is a flat surface.6 Apparatus tor securing space debris according to any preceding claim, wherein said object is lined with shock-absorbing foam means.

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