Methods of accelerating a target vehicle to a higher orbit via a Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle are provided. The KEST vehicle is configured to transfer kinetic energy to the target vehicle by way of a catching mechanism using one or more brakes on one or more associated tethers along which the braking mechanism traverses, accelerating the target vehicle into a higher orbit, potentially even beyond the Earth.

An airship includes a capsule and an external structure attached to the capsule and extending vertically above an upper portion of the capsule. A plurality of gas balloons are secured to the external structure and hold a lighter-than-air lifting gas. The volume of lifting gas in the plurality of balloons is at least a sufficient volume to lift the airship into the stratosphere. The airship may also include a first boom and second boom that extend horizontally outward from a lower portion of the capsule. The booms each include a weight or cargo container at a far end to assist in balancing and stabilizing the airship. The number and/or the sizes of the gas balloons may be adjusted and configured to obtain the volume of lifting gas needed to lift the airship to a desired altitude above the Earth.

A dimpled spherical storage unit is described in the form of a cargo ball. The cargo ball includes a spherical exterior surface and a plurality of dimples in a pattern on the exterior surface. At least a first cover is configured to extend outward from the center of the cargo ball and at least a first thruster is configured to be deployed from the cargo ball.

A spacecraft docking station is adapted to facilitate docking of spacecraft within outer space. According to one example, a spacecraft docking station may include a frame enclosing an area, and a net-like mesh coupled to the frame and filling the area enclosed by the frame. An autonomous robot may be coupled to the net-like mesh. One or more vessels may be coupled to the frame and/or the net-like mesh, where the one or more vessels include a propulsion mechanism. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

A multi-use resupply system for a space-based platform may include a multi-use tug to swap old and new cargo containers on a launch vehicle upper stage. The system can rely on the launch vehicle upper stage to provide the function of cargo de-orbit and disposal. The launch vehicle upper stage may be provided with sufficient propellant and propulsion functionality to operate for a long enough period in space to maneuver a new cargo container to a rendezvous trajectory, support the swapping of cargo containers, and then perform a de-orbit burn with the old cargo container.

A system for landing or docking a mobile platform is enabled by a flash LADAR sensor having an adaptive controller with Automatic Gain Control (AGC). Range gating in the LADAR sensor penetrates through diffuse reflectors. The LADAR sensor adapted for landing/approach comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, transmit optics, receive optics, a focal plane array of detectors, a readout integrated circuit, camera support electronics and image processor, an image analysis and bias calculation processor, and a detector array bias control circuit. The system is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view.

There is provided an apparatus for capturing a space object, the apparatus comprising a harpoon element for penetrating the object, the harpoon element being configured to form part of a harpoon for launching towards the object; and penetration control means for controlling the penetration of the harpoon element into the object. The penetration control means can comprise a compressible component, forming part of the harpoon, for absorbing some of the kinetic energy of the harpoon. Alternatively or additionally, it may comprise means for varying the launch speed of the harpoon.

The present invention extends to methods, systems, devices, apparatus, and computer program products for aligning a target with and/or over and/or into a specific position and orientation. Embodiments include one or more capture components, such as, engagement lines, spars, or struts, that can be actuated together or independently to position a vehicle in a capture area defined by a ring or other geometry. A vehicle can include a sloped surface feature configured to engage with the capture components. When actuated, the capture components draw the sloped surface feature towards and down into the center of the defined capture area. Variations allow a vehicle to be rotated in place, repositioned in place, or clamped securely in place. Positioning and rotation allows alignment with replenishment devices for resupplying and refueling. In this way, a vehicle is relieved from having to have precision terminal guidance for landing and recharging.

An unpressurized cargo pallet including a pallet base having a frame, the frame being conformal with a structural exterior surface of a space vehicle to effect structural integration of the pallet base with the structural exterior surface of the space vehicle so that the pallet base forms a portion of the structural exterior surface, where the frame includes an interior surface, and an exterior surface that forms at least part of the structural exterior surface of the space vehicle, a cargo attachment interface disposed on the interior surface of the frame, and at least one grapple disposed on the exterior surface of the frame.

An unmanned vehicle comprising a navigable propulsion system for moving the vehicle in an operating environment and a controllable steering mechanism for steering the vehicle as it moves in the operating environment; and a tethering mechanism for attaching to existing space debris including waste, garbage, derelict satellites and equipment, and other debris; and tethering device for attaching to waste hauling device for disposing of waste generated from inhabited orbiting structures. The propulsion device is a universal transportation device for assorted space debris utilizing connectors for hauling collected waste captured in fibrous formulated cloth material, or individual pieces of debris, or equipment. A telescoping utility arm provides the capability to direct the hook mechanism and tethering device to secure space waste and debris of various shapes, sizes, and conditions for transportation. A fibrous formulated containment device collects waste from inhabited space structures.