A vehicle for capturing falling objects, such as spacecraft, satellites and similar objects re-entering the atmosphere from orbit, comprises a plurality of air cushion units 100, wherein each of the air cushion units is configured to generate a propulsive force to drive the vehicle and a lift force to elevate the vehicle. A linking structure 200 links the air cushion units together and a receiver 300, arranged to receive the falling object, is coupled to the linking structure. In a further aspect the air cushion units are provides in pairs which are fixed in space relative to each other. Each pair of air cushion units is arranged to rotate about an axis lying in a plane wherein the plurality of planes coincide or are parallel.
Vehicle for capturing a falling object
2023-07-05
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
FALLING OBJECT SENSING DEVICE, VEHICLE-MOUNTED SYSTEM, VEHICLE, AND FALLING OBJECT SENSING PROGRAM
European Patent Office | 2019
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