Spacecraft servicing devices and related methods may include a propellant tank configured to store a propellant and to be placed into fluid communication with a portion of the target spacecraft.

Various embodiments of space launch vehicle systems and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the systems include a reusable, horizontal takeoff/horizontal landing (HTHL), ground-assisted single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spaceplane that is capable of providing frequent deliveries of people and/or cargo to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). In some embodiments, the spaceplane can takeoff with the aid of a rocket-powered sled that, in addition to providing additional thrust for takeoff, can also provide propellant for the spaceplane engines during the takeoff run so that the spaceplane launches with full propellant tanks.

Vehicle capture assemblies and related devices, systems, and methods include one or more probe assemblies for passively engaging with and securing the target vehicle.

Vehicle capture assemblies and related devices, systems, and methods include one or more probe assemblies for engaging with and securing the target vehicle. The one or more probe assemblies may include one or more attenuation features or movable joints.

A system utilizing an antenna generating an electromagnetic (EM) wave to interact with a solar EM wave to streamline magnetic flux in the polar cusp and to facilitate the flow of solar plasma through the Polar Cusp, resulting in an elevated plasma flux at the exit of the Polar Cusp. The elevated plasma flux intercepts and removes small space debris from Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) and Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTO) transiting the LEO altitude regimes.

An autonomous compliance controlled generic mooring station includes a pair of mooring systems connected to each other. The pair of mooring systems includes a pair of mooring interfaces, allowing the pair of mooring systems to change between a mooring state and a release state. One of the pair of mooring interfaces includes an electropermanent magnet and the other one of the pair of mooring interfaces includes a ferromagnetic plate. The electropermanent magnet and the ferromagnetic plate are configured to connect the pair of mooring systems together.

The disclosure relates to the area of space science, in particular, to the area of industrialization of outer space and, directly, to the facilities for inserting and moving various objects in circumplanetary cosmic space. It is intended to solve geocosmic problems in industrial-scale volumes—to carry out research and development, special-purpose, touristic and other types of works and services in outer space and stabilize global climate. Artificial orbital ring complex by Yunitski is made in the form of a ring satellite, located in a circular orbit around a natural cosmic body in the equatorial plane, which comprises: structural frame, utilities and communications, power units, transition galleries positioned in annular housing with protective shell, gate chambers with docking units, configured to dock with space vehicles, residential and research-production units, equipped with systems of control, life support, active and passive protection against the harmful effects of space. The structural frame is longitudinally tensioned, and the ring satellite is in circular motion in orbit around the natural cosmic body with velocity V.sub.0, m/sec, defined by the ratio:

1≤V0/V.sub.1H≤1.01,

where V.sub.1H, m/sec,—first space velocity for the equatorial circular orbit of the location of the ring line connecting the centers of mass of the cross sections of the artificial orbital ring complex, at altitude of H.sub.0, m defined by the ratio:

0.02≤H.sub.0/R.sub.0≤0.5,

where R.sub.0, m,—radius of natural cosmic body in equatorial plane.

To facilitate on-orbit servicing, such as for a refueling operation, techniques are presented for a servicing satellite to cut through the multi-layer insulation blanket of a client satellite to provide access to the client satellite without releasing unacceptable quantities of foreign object debris from the multi-layer insulation. The serving satellite includes a sealing tool, such as a pair of heater rollers, that apply pressure and heat to the insulating blanket to melt the inner layers and seal the outer layers together. The servicing satellite can then use a cutting tool to cut the sealed region and access the client satellite.

Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one mission extension pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.

The present disclosure relates to a robotically controlled satellite refueling tool and associated robotically controlled support and site preparation tools which facilitates on-orbit refueling by teleoperation of fill/drain valves of various designs and dimensions on satellites not originally prepared for on-orbit servicing, through the installation of quick connect safety valves, using vision-based feedback as well as feedback from sensors embedded in the refueling tool to operate a suite of adaptable and adjustable mechanisms. The refueling tool has an open architecture to allow a refueling tool vision system to see the fill/drain valve and the section of the refueling tool that is engaged with the fill/drain valve. The support tools include a blanket cutter tool, a blanket handler tool, a wire cutter tool, a gripper tool, and the site preparation tools include a B-nut removal tool and a crush seal removal tool. Each of these tools includes a common base structure which is interfaced to the end effector of the robotic arm for transmitting rotation and torque to the various tools.