Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Electrostatic spacecraft reorbiter
- Patent Title (中): 静电航天器重载器
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Application No.: US12820548Application Date: 2010-06-22
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Publication No.: US08205838B2Publication Date: 2012-06-26
- Inventor: Daniel F. Moorer, Jr. , Hanspeter Schaub
- Applicant: Daniel F. Moorer, Jr. , Hanspeter Schaub
- Agency: Sheridan Ross P.C.
- Main IPC: B64G1/10
- IPC: B64G1/10

Abstract:
Spacecraft vehicles and methods for providing reorbiters capable of moving target objects are provided. More particularly, a reorbiter utilizing electrostatic or Coulomb force for acting on target objects and for moving the target objects into new orbits or altitudes are provided. The reorbiter may establish an electrostatic force by controlling the electrical potential of the reorbiter through active charge emission. The target object may acquire an electrical potential due to its interaction with the space plasma and photoelectrons or the reorbiter may impart additional charge to the target object. After establishing the electrostatic force, a propulsion system of the reorbiter is operated to provide thrust. Thrust is directed to change the orbit and/or position of the target object that is being moved by the electrostatic force between the reorbiter and the target object.
Public/Granted literature
- US20110036952A1 Electrostatic Spacecraft Reorbiter Public/Granted day:2011-02-17
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