CPC B64G 1/1078 (2013.01) [B64G 1/007 (2013.01); B64G 1/40 (2013.01); B64G 1/402 (2013.01); B64G 1/646 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A spacecraft servicing device, comprising:
a body;
a propulsion system coupled to the body; and
a pod positioning mechanism coupled to the body, the spacecraft servicing device configured to retrieve at least one mission extension pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component with the pod positioning mechanism at a location in space and to transport the at least one mission extension pod from the location in space using the propulsion system of the spacecraft servicing device to a second location in proximity to a target spacecraft, the pod positioning mechanism configured to transfer the at least one mission extension pod to the target spacecraft at the second location where the at least one mission extension pod is coupled to the target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one mission extension pod, the spacecraft servicing device configured to remain in at least partial physical contact with the at least one mission extension pod until the at least one mission extension pod is coupled to the target spacecraft, the spacecraft servicing device configured to cease physical contact with the at least one mission extension pod after the at least one mission extension pod is coupled to the target spacecraft, wherein the spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least one mission extension pod to the target spacecraft using only the propulsion system of the spacecraft servicing device.
|