Patents Assigned to Princeton Satelitte Systems
  • Patent number: 8412391
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for maneuvering a first spacecraft relative to a nearby second spacecraft that occupies a finite volume of space including obstacles in the vicinity of the second from a measured present relative position to a desired ending relative position. A trajectory is computed for the first spacecraft from the present relative position to the ending relative position using the A* algorithm. One or more thrusters of the first spacecraft are then fired. The first spacecraft's relative position and velocity are then measured and compared to the computed trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Princeton Satelitte Systems
    Inventors: Michael A. Paluszek, Pradeep Bhatta