Patent ID: 7624950

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a) a boom means ( 11 ) for providing support; b) a nuclear reactor means ( 19 ) for generating heat; said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ) being coupled to said boom means ( 11 ); c) a payload protection means ( 20 ) for protecting a payload ( 15 ) from radiation; said payload protection means ( 20 ) being coupled to said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ); d) an energy converter for producing electrical energy from nuclear fission energy coupled to the nuclear reactor means, the energy converter comprising a turbine, a compressor and a generator; e) a collapsible radiator means ( 16 ) for dissipating heat; said radiator means ( 16 ) being coupled to said energy converter; f) an electric propulsion means ( 12 ) for supplying thrust; said electric propulsion means ( 12 ) being coupled to said energy converter; g) a propellant tank means ( 13 ) for storing fuel for said electric propulsion means ( 12 ); said propellant tank means ( 13 ) being coupled to said boom means ( 11 ); and h) a multiple-use grasping means ( 14 ) for engaging a satellite above the surface of the Earth; said grasping means ( 14 ) being coupled to said boom means ( 11 ), generally at one end of said boom means ( 11 ).