APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SERVICING AND INSPECTING SMALL FREE-FLYING PLATFORMS IN ORBIT IN SPACE

摘要

A small, substantially spherical, free-flying utility platformfor use in space can be docked, inspected and serviced in anapparatus including a container with a chamber therein mountedon the outside of a space vehicle or space station. A motorizedclosing mechanism drives a door to selectively open or close anopening of the container into the chamber, and another mechanismautomatically latches and locks the door. The door operationscan be automatically triggered as the platform breaks the beamsof light beam devices arranged in the container. The properpositioning of the platform in the container can be detected bya photoelectric switch. Capture and docking of the platform isfacilitated by sloping funnel-shaped interior walls of thecontainer, and properly shaped cushions and/or a docking cradle.When docked, the platform has its batteries recharged, its fueltank refueled, and its electronics evaluated and diagnosed.