System and method for assisted extravehicular activity self-return

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9977427
SERIAL NO

15164264

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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A system and method for assisted EVA self-return is provided herein. The system estimates a crewmember's navigation state relative to a fixed location, for example on an accompanying orbiting spacecraft, and computes a guidance trajectory for returning the crewmember to that fixed location. The system may account for safety and clearance requirements while computing the guidance trajectory. According to at least one embodiment, the system actuates the crewmember's safety jetpack to follow the prescribed trajectory to the fixed location. In another embodiment, the system provides the crewmember with a directional cue (e.g., a visual, auditory, or tactile cue) corresponding to the prescribed trajectory back to the fixed location. The system may be activated by the crewmember or remotely by another crewmember and/or system.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY INC.

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Duda, Kevin R Wayland, US 4 79
Handley, Patrick Mark Cambridge, US 3 1
Loffi, Richard W Houston, US 3 1

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