Abstract
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.
Claims
1. A unmanned vehicle comprising: remote navigable propulsion system, controllable steering mechanism, and tethering device.
2. Invention of claim 1 further comprising: strong, black, tear-resistant, fibrous formulated cloth material that could be closed at one end with an embedded cable for containing waste generated from within inhabited space structure.
3. Invention of claim 2 hauls load to escape Earth's orbit and adjust trajectory towards Sun for incineration.
4. Invention of claim 1 further comprising: device propulsion system and navigation system matching the orbit of existing space debris item so it can be tethered and towed for disposal.
5. Invention of claim 4 hauls load to escape Earth's orbit and adjust trajectory towards Sun for incineration.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows the invention utilizing a telescoping utility arm equipped with a tethering cable and hook apparatus to collect large orbiting space debris.
[0013] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a more detailed view of the Small Propulsion System with a top and bottom view.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows the present invention being used as a means of managing waste from an inhabited orbiting space structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] FIG. 1
[0016] The purpose of FIG. 1 is to show the invention utilizing a telescoping utility arm equipped with a tethering cable and hook apparatus to collect large orbiting space debris (e.g. a decommissioned satellite) for transport towards the Sun for incineration.
[0017] Elements of FIG. 1.
[0018] 100. Small Propulsion System attached to large space debris
[0019] 101. Telescoping Utility Arm
[0020] 102. Tethering Cable
[0021] 103. Hook
[0022] 104. Large Space Debris
[0023] FIG. 1 shows the tethering cable mechanically attached to the small propulsion system. This cable would have the necessary strength to withstand the force of gravitational pull on the waste item in the weightless space environment. This system could also be jettisoned from an existing space station or orbiting structure in it's fully connected state.
[0024] FIGS. 2a and 2b
[0025] The purpose of FIGS. 2a and 2b are to show a more detailed view of the Small Propulsion System with a top and bottom view. The bottom view in FIG. 2b shows the dual thrusters used for course corrections and opening for the telescoping utility arm. The top view in FIG. 2b shows the antenna for the onboard basic communications and navigation systems. FIGS. 2a and 2b also show solar panels used for powering the onboard basic communications and navigation systems.
[0026] Elements of FIG. 2a. [0027] 105. Thrusters [0028] 106. Telescoping Utility Arm opening
[0029] Elements of FIG. 2b. [0030] 107. Antenna [0031] 108. Solar Panels
[0032] FIG. 2a shows the small propulsion system. This is a simple dual thruster propellant powered vehicle with a tethering cable that can be mechanically attached to a space waste item. The small propulsion system would contain an onboard basic communications and navigation system used for course corrections from controllers on Earth. The antenna displayed in FIG. 2b would be used to facilitate these communications. The onboard systems would be powered by a solar electric battery providing enough power to escape Earth's orbit, set a trajectory towards the Sun, and provide for course correction as needed.
[0033] FIG. 3
[0034] The purpose of FIG. 3 is to show the invention connected with it's tethering cable to the strong fibrous formulated cloth bag in order to collect and store waste from an inhabited orbiting space structure. After reaching capacity, the invention with tethered waste bag would close and pull away from the structure on a course for proper destruction of waste through solar incineration.
[0035] Elements of FIG. 3.
[0036] 100. Small Propulsion System pulling bag away from orbiting space structure
[0037] 102. Tethering Cable
[0038] 107. Antenna
[0039] 109. Space Waste Bag attached to orbiting space structure
[0040] 110. Orbiting Inhabited Space Structure
FIG. 3 shows the present invention being used as a means of managing waste from an inhabited orbiting space structure. In this application, the invention would be ejected from the orbiting structure with the small propulsion system already tethered to the strong, black, tear-resistant, fibrous formulated cloth material that could be closed at one end with an embedded cable and containing waste and garbage generated from within the structure. As a secondary usage the invention would match the orbit of a larger existing space waste item so it can be tethered and towed as described in FIG. 3. This application would be accomplished by using the invention's propulsion system and navigation system along with existing technologies to launch and rendezvous the invention with the waste item.
