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Patent drawing for Method and associated apparatus for capturing, servicing, and de-orbiting earth satellites using robotics
US 7,513,460 B2
Spacecraft US 7,513,460 B2 Expired

Method and associated apparatus for capturing, servicing, and de-orbiting earth satellites using robotics

This invention describes a robotic system designed to find, capture, service, and eventually remove defunct satellites from orbit. It uses a robotic vehicle with a grappling arm to grab the satellite, and can then perform maintenance tasks using either pre-programmed instructions or onboard artificial intelligence. The system also includes a separate module to de-orbit the satellite after servicing, allowing the robotic vehicle to move on to another job.

Why it matters: Filed before significant advancements in AI and space robotics. Onboard AI for autonomous servicing and de-orbiting is now more viable, and the need for orbital debris mitigation has become critical.

Status
ExpiredProtection ended and was never renewed
How hard to build
SpecializedSpace robotics, AI, autonomous navigation, dexterous arms

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