Spacecraft Constellation Self-Removal of Failed Satellites
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacecraft constellations face challenges in efficiently maintaining a safe space environment due to malfunctioning satellites, which can lead to collisions and depletion of delta-v resources, necessitating inefficient and costly removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a first spacecraft performing a primary mission while a second spacecraft detects failures and executes a secondary mission to remove malfunctioning satellites from their orbit, using enhanced maneuvering capabilities to transport them to a service orbit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate maintenance spacecraft is deployed to remove failed satellites, then collision safety is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling operational spacecraft to perform both their primary mission and secondary maintenance functions. The system allows healthy satellites to detect failures, determine orbital parameters, and execute removal maneuvers for failed satellites, eliminating the need for dedicated maintenance spacecraft while maintaining collision safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by enabling the spacecraft constellation to maintain itself using its own operational members. When a satellite fails, other operational satellites in the constellation autonomously detect the failure, calculate the necessary orbital transfer, and execute the removal maneuver without external intervention or specialized maintenance vehicles
2Device complexity
If operational spacecraft perform removal maneuvers for failed satellites, then the need for additional maintenance spacecraft is reduced, but delta-v resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by transferring the failed satellite to a lower orbit where it can naturally decay and reenter the atmosphere, eliminating the need for continuous active maintenance. The operational spacecraft performs the orbital transfer maneuver to discard the failed satellite into a safe disposal orbit, recovering its own resources for continued primary mission operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system treats the failed satellite as a disposable object that is removed to a lower orbit for atmospheric reentry. Rather than maintaining or repairing failed satellites, the system efficiently discards them into safe disposal orbits, minimizing long-term resource commitments and complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If failed spacecraft are left in orbit, then system resources are conserved, but collision hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by proactively removing failed satellites from their operational orbits before they can pose collision risks. When a satellite failure is detected, the system immediately initiates orbital transfer maneuvers to move the failed satellite to a safe disposal orbit, preventing potential collisions before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies extraction by removing the harmful element (failed satellite) from the operational environment. The system detects failed satellites and actively transfers them to lower disposal orbits, extracting them from the constellation's operational space to eliminate collision hazards while maintaining the integrity of the primary mission
Data Source
AI summary
A system for maintenance of a spacecraft constellation comprises a first spacecraft, configured to perform a primary mission while maintaining a primary orbit, and a second spacecraft. The second spacecraft is configured to perform the primary mission while maintaining the primary orbit and to determine a failure of the first spacecraft. The second spacecraft is further configured to, at least in part responsive to determining the failure of the first spacecraft, perform a secondary mission, wherein the secondary mission includes removing the first spacecraft from the primary orbit by the second spacecraft.