Patent ID: 7461818

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 ) protecting a payload ( 15 ) from radiation, wherein the payload ( 15 ) comprises an attached, fully deployed satellite and the payload protection means comprises a radiation shield incorporating multiple zone shielding that minimizes mass and protects extended appendages on the fully deployed satellite, said payload protection means ( 20 ) being coupled to said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ); d) a radiator means ( 16 ) for dissipating heat; said radiator means ( 16 ) being coupled to said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ); e) an electric propulsion means ( 12 ) for supplying thrust; said electric propulsion means ( 12 ) being coupled to said nuclear reactor means ( 19 ); f) 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 g) 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 ).