Patent ID: 6523784
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B64G

Abstract:
In a system for recovering and transporting a spacecraft, including a spacecraft that is to be recovered, a powered recovery craft, and a coupling arrangement adapted to couple said recovery craft to said spacecraft,an improvement in said coupling arrangement wherein said coupling arrangement comprises: an interface ring provided on said spacecraft; a coupling mast having first and second ends; a releasable mount that releasably connects said first end of said coupling mast to said recovery craft; at least three spreader arms movably connected to said coupling mast at or proximate to said second end of said coupling mast, wherein said spreader arms are adjustably movable relative to said coupling mast between a radially inwardly retracted condition and a radially outwardly extended condition, and wherein said spreader arms in said extended condition are adapted to engage said interface ring and thereby couple said coupling mast to said spacecraft; and a spring arrangement that is provided on said second end of said coupling mast and that is arranged and adapted to elastically yieldingly brace against said spacecraft when said spreader arms are in said extended condition and engaged with said interface ring, so as to thereby press said spreader arms against said interface ring.