SATELITE TRANSFER VEHICLE

摘要

A transfer vehicle (41) for use in a system for transferring payloads from an earth-launch vehicle in one space trajectory to another space trajectory. The system includes an earth-launch vehicle (43) (Fig. 9) with primary propulsion and guidance systems, a transfer vehicle (41) (Fig. 1) carrying a payload which is stowed in the cargo bay (44) during earth-launch and insertion of the earth-launch vehicle (43) into low-earth transfer trajectory. An engine module (10) (Fig. 3) carries on-board mission equipment, rocket engine (23), related fuel supply (26), guidance equipment, attitude control equipment and electrical power supply equipment (Figs. 11-20). A grapple system (33, 42) on the earth-launch vehicle (43) (Fig. 9) deploys the transfer vehicle (41) and cargo and restows it for on-orbit repair/modification for earth-return. The transfer vehicle (41) may by multi-staged (Fig. 21) and may be provided with multiple engines (71) (Fig. 23).