Patents Assigned to Atomos Nuclear and Space Corporation
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Publication number: 20240150043Abstract: An orbital transfer vehicle system for cargo delivery is described herein. An orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) resides in space at a staging orbit. The OTV is configured for interfacing with a cargo pod at an insertion orbit to form a mated stack including the OTV and the cargo pod. The OTV is further configured for providing propulsion and rendezvous operations for transporting the mated stack to an intended target destination. Upon completion of delivery of the cargo pod to its intended target destination, the OTV then releases the cargo pod and returns to the staging orbit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventors: Kieran Wilson, Vanessa Jane Clark
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Patent number: 11929703Abstract: An energy conversion and transmission system includes a thermal energy converter configured to convert thermal blackbody radiation energy to thermal infrared (IR) energy and to output a thermal IR energy stream. The system further includes a transmission device configured to receive the thermal IR energy stream from the thermal energy converter at a first location and output the thermal IR energy stream at a second location. The transmission device supplies the thermal IR energy stream to a thermal IR energy destination at the second location.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventors: Wayne C. Boncyk, Vanessa Jane Clark, Lucas Brady Beveridge
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Patent number: 11906250Abstract: Systems and methods of manufacture of radiator fins. In one embodiment, a radiator fin made of carbon fiber is provided. In one aspect, the radiator fin is made of carbon fibers forming an interlaced pattern. In another aspect, the interlaced carbon fiber radiator fin is attached directly to a heat pipe, the heat pipe connected to a heat source.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventors: Sandra Pitzak, Vanessa Jane Clark
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Publication number: 20240013939Abstract: A modular space reactor includes a plurality of sections, each section containing a component of an assembled reactor. Each section contains contents configured to be unable to sustain a fission chain reaction as an individual section and is configured to be separately launched into space from each other section. The sections are configured for assembly in space to form the assembled reactor configured for sustaining an active fission chain reaction only when all of the sections are assembled together. In embodiments, contents of a section include at least one of fissile fuel, reactivity control devices, neutron reflectors, neutron moderators, radiation shielding mechanisms, cooling systems, power conversion systems. In embodiments, the sections are further configured for disassembly in space for being separable for at least one of refueling, decommissioning, and disposal of the system so disassembled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Applicant: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventor: Lucas Brady Beveridge
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Publication number: 20230356861Abstract: A method of moving a spacecraft from an initial orbit to a final orbit includes providing a spacecraft with thrusters traveling in an initial orbit that has a first RAAN. Thrusters are activated to move the spacecraft into a transfer orbit having more eccentricity than the initial orbit. A RAAN of the transfer orbit changes over time toward a target RAAN. The spacecraft enters an aerobraking orbit wherein the spacecraft is exposed to increased atmospheric drag to reduce orbit energy and reduce an apoapsis radius. Thrusters may be activated to increase the periapsis radius of the aerobraking orbit and cause the spacecraft to move into the final orbit, the final orbit having a final RAAN different from the first RAAN.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventor: Kieran Wilson
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Publication number: 20220367077Abstract: The disclosure describes various aspects of a space-based radioisotope production system and methods use. In one aspect, a propellant is accelerated by decay energy to yield thrust. The decay energy is provided by activating a target material. In one aspect, a radioisotope rocket thruster may be recharged or “reactivated” in a space-borne charging station. The activated isotopes may also be used generate electricity. The space-borne charging station may also be used for irradiating other items in space for any number of purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventor: Lucas Brady Beveridge
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Patent number: 11492143Abstract: A modular and scalable system to transfer space articles between space orbits. In one embodiment, the system employs a rendezvous vehicle which docks with a space article in an initial orbit, the connected stack then docking with a locomotive vehicle which maneuvers to a targeted orbit where the space article is detached. In one feature, the rendezvous vehicle and locomotive vehicle use a common propellant and the space article is a satellite.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventor: Vanessa Jane Clark
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Publication number: 20220294382Abstract: An energy conversion and transmission system includes a thermal energy converter configured to convert thermal blackbody radiation energy to thermal infrared (IR) energy and to output a thermal IR energy stream. The system further includes a transmission device configured to receive the thermal IR energy stream from the thermal energy converter at a first location and output the thermal IR energy stream at a second location. The transmission device supplies the thermal IR energy stream to a thermal IR energy destination at the second location.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventors: Wayne C. Boncyk, Vanessa Jane Clark, Lucas Brady Beveridge
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Publication number: 20220268531Abstract: Systems and methods of manufacture of radiator fins. In one embodiment, a radiator fin made of carbon fiber is provided. In one aspect, the radiator fin is made of carbon fibers forming an interlaced pattern. In another aspect, the interlaced carbon fiber radiator fin is attached directly to a heat pipe, the heat pipe connected to a heat source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventors: Sandra Pitzak, Vanessa Jane Clark
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Publication number: 20210300597Abstract: A modular and scalable system to transfer space articles between space orbits. In one embodiment, the system employs a rendezvous vehicle which docks with a space article in an initial orbit, the connected stack then docking with a locomotive vehicle which maneuvers to a targeted orbit where the space article is detached. In one feature, the rendezvous vehicle and locomotive vehicle use a common propellant and the space article is a satellite.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Applicant: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventor: Vanessa Jane Clark
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Publication number: 20200141661Abstract: Systems and methods of manufacture of radiator fins. In one embodiment, a radiator fin made of carbon fiber is provided. In one aspect, the radiator fin is made of carbon fibers forming an interlaced pattern. In another aspect, the interlaced carbon fiber radiator fin is attached directly to a heat pipe, the heat pipe connected to a heat source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Atomos Nuclear and Space CorporationInventors: Sandra Pitzak, Vanessa Clark