Modular Capture Devices for Defunct Space Targets With Rebound Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for capturing defunct space crafts in orbit face challenges such as low efficiency, high cost, large mass, and reliability issues with space robotic arms, and risks of rebound and damage with harpoons, while rendezvous and docking is technically difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising capturing devices, a delivery device, a launching device, and a deceleration and recovery device, which delivers and launches capturing devices to a target orbit, allowing them to capture defunct space targets efficiently and decelerate to prevent rebound, using biodegradable materials for low cost and high adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If space robotic arm is used to capture defunct space crafts, then capturing capability is improved, but mass increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capturing system is divided into separate functional modules: a lightweight launching device that propels capturing devices, and independent capturing devices that perform the actual capture. This segmentation eliminates the need for a heavy space robotic arm while maintaining capturing capability through modular, lightweight components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable capturing devices that are launched, used for capture, and then discarded or deorbited. These lightweight single-use capturing devices replace the expensive, heavy, and reusable space robotic arm, significantly reducing both mass and cost while maintaining effective capture capability.
2Reliability
If space robotic arm is used to capture defunct space crafts, then capturing capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into inexpensive, simple components: a basic launching mechanism and separate capturing devices. This modular approach with simple functional units dramatically reduces manufacturing cost compared to the complex, integrated space robotic arm system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses low-cost disposable capturing devices instead of expensive reusable robotic arms. The simplicity of these single-use capturing devices makes them much cheaper to manufacture while still achieving the required capture capability.
3Productivity
If space webs are used to capture defunct space crafts, then capturing efficiency is improved, but the number of space webs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The capturing devices are designed to be dynamically launched and deployed as needed. Multiple capturing devices can be sequentially launched to intercept different targets, providing dynamic adaptability that overcomes the static limitation of carrying a fixed number of space webs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic launching of capturing devices in sequences or batches. This periodic deployment allows the system to handle multiple targets over time, effectively increasing capturing efficiency without requiring all capturing devices to be carried simultaneously.
4Device complexity
If harpoons are used to capture defunct space crafts, then simplicity is improved, but rebound may damage onboard spacecraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary deceleration and recovery device that acts as a buffer between the capturing device and the spacecraft. This intermediary system absorbs the rebound energy and controls the return of the capturing device, preventing damage to the spacecraft while maintaining the simplicity of the harpoon-based capture mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a system and a method for capturing a space target. The system includes a plurality of capturing devices, a delivery device, a launching device, and a deceleration and recovery device, each of the plurality of capturing devices is configured to be launched into a target orbit to capture a defunct space target, the delivery device is configured to deliver, along a preset delivery trajectory, each of the plurality of capturing devices to a first preset location in the launching device, the launching device is configured to launch each of the plurality of capturing devices located at the first preset location into the target orbit to capture the defunct space target, and the deceleration and recovery device is configured to decelerate each of the plurality of capturing devices after it is launched and flies a preset distance.