Spacecraft Capture Tug Universal Grapple Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spacecraft and satellite maintenance in space is limited by the inability to capture and repair or transport objects in orbit, with on-site repairs being expensive and restricted to Earth-bound operations.
Innovation Solution
A spacecraft capture tug equipped with a universal engagement system, including grapple arms and avionics, propulsion systems, solar cell arrays, and a docking adapter, allowing for the capture and relocation of objects in space for repair or further servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spacecraft are deployed to orbital trajectories or geostationary orbits for long-term operation, then they provide invaluable information and services, but they cannot be captured for repair or transport in space
Solution Approach 1:
The tug vehicle is designed with a universal engagement system that can capture various objects including disabled spacecraft, satellites, and small asteroids. The grapple arms with multiple joints provide full range of motion to grasp different types of objects, making the system adaptable to multiple mission types rather than dedicated to a single function.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement system acts as an intermediary between the tug vehicle and the target spacecraft. The grapple arms with multiple joints serve as the mediating mechanism that enables capture and transport of various space objects without requiring modifications to the target spacecraft themselves.
2Ease of repair
If satellites are captured and repaired by vehicles such as the Space Shuttle, then on-site repairs can be performed, but these operations are expensive and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tug vehicle is designed with refuelable chemical tanks that can be replenished in space, allowing the vehicle to perform multiple capture and transport missions without returning to Earth for refueling. This self-service capability reduces operational costs by eliminating the need for expensive Earth-based support infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle uses refuelable chemical tanks instead of fixed fuel capacity, allowing the fuel parameter to be changed and extended in space. This enables the tug to perform multiple missions economically by refueling in-orbit rather than requiring expensive Earth-based support for each mission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal engagement system with multiple joints is used to capture various space objects, then the vehicle can handle multiple mission types, but the engagement system represents 10% to 15% of the vehicle's total mass
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement system is divided into multiple independent grapple arms with multiple joints each. This segmentation allows the system to achieve full range of motion and capture various objects while distributing the mass across multiple modular components rather than requiring a single heavy mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The grapple arms are designed with multiple joints providing full range of motion, making the engagement system dynamic and adaptable rather than static. This dynamic design allows a relatively lightweight system to achieve versatile capture capabilities by using motion and positioning rather than brute force mass.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient capture, transport, and repair of spacecraft and satellites in space, providing flexible mission capabilities and reducing operational costs by enabling in-orbit maintenance and servicing.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of solar cell arrays is disposed on the outer periphery of the frame
Implementation Method 2
each tank has an access valve for refueling in space and each tank is removably secured to the frame
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of nozzles is disposed on the outer periphery of the frame and each nozzle has a valve for regulating the flow of the oxidizer and fuel from the tanks
Data Source
AI summary
A spacecraft capture tug is disclosed. The tug can capture objects in space, including spacecraft and satellites, using an engagement system and provide propulsion for the object to a point of servicing, repair, or other desired operations. Further, the tug may dock with other specialty tugs to form a custom transport system.