Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft is provided. The apparatus includes a line which is elevatable while maintaining a principally horizontal axis. For retrieval, the aircraft translates principally spanwise over the line, following a path which is principally horizontal and normal to the line. At an appropriate moment, the line is elevated and contacts the aircraft's wing. As the aircraft continues translating, the line slides along the wing until captured in a cleat. The aircraft is then stably tethered in hover, and its position can be manipulated by articulating the line, such as to guide the aircraft into a docking station. For launch the aircraft lifts itself into hover while tethered to the line. Articulation of the line guides the aircraft into a launch position, at which point the line is disconnected from the cleat, thereby releasing the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft is provided. The apparatus includes a line which is elevatable while maintaining a principally horizontal axis. For retrieval, the aircraft translates principally spanwise over the line, following a path which is principally horizontal and normal to the line. At an appropriate moment, the line is elevated and contacts the aircraft's wing. As the aircraft continues translating, the line slides along the wing until captured in a cleat. The aircraft is then stably tethered in hover, and its position can be manipulated by articulating the line, such as to guide the aircraft into a docking station. For launch the aircraft lifts itself into hover while tethered to the line. Articulation of the line guides the aircraft into a launch position, at which point the line is disconnected from the cleat, thereby releasing the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft is provided. The apparatus includes a line which is elevatable while maintaining a principally horizontal axis. For retrieval, the aircraft translates principally spanwise over the line, following a path which is principally horizontal and normal to the line. At an appropriate moment, the line is elevated and contacts the aircraft's wing. As the aircraft continues translating, the line slides along the wing until captured in a cleat. The aircraft is then stably tethered in hover, and its position can be manipulated by articulating the line, such as to guide the aircraft into a docking station. For launch the aircraft lifts itself into hover while tethered to the line. Articulation of the line guides the aircraft into a launch position, at which point the line is disconnected from the cleat, thereby releasing the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated launch, retrieval, and servicing of a hovering aircraft is provided. The apparatus includes a line which is elevatable while maintaining a principally horizontal axis. For retrieval, the aircraft translates principally spanwise over the line, following a path which is principally horizontal and normal to the line. At an appropriate moment, the line is elevated and contacts the aircraft's wing. As the aircraft continues translating, the line slides along the wing until captured in a cleat. The aircraft is then stably tethered in hover, and its position can be manipulated by articulating the line, such as to guide the aircraft into a docking station. For launch the aircraft lifts itself into hover while tethered to the line. Articulation of the line guides the aircraft into a launch position, at which point the line is disconnected from the cleat, thereby releasing the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the determination of a relative position between moving platforms, using satellite-based navigation techniques and equipment installed on said platforms. It combines the concepts of observation-space and navigation-space differential systems, and operates a DGNSS base station in a time-varying mode, in order to rely on the built-in differential positioning and navigation capabilities of particular GNSS receivers while minimizing datalink loading and computational load in auxiliary processors. The invention achieves accurate relative positioning and navigation with respect to a moving base station, using DGNSS equipment that assumes it is stationary when operated in a reference station mode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the determination of a relative position between moving platforms, using satellite-based navigation techniques and equipment installed on said platforms. It combines the concepts of observation-space and navigation-space differential systems, and operates a DGNSS base station in a time-varying mode, in order to rely on the built-in differential positioning and navigation capabilities of particular GNSS receivers while minimizing datalink loading and computational load in auxiliary processors. The invention achieves accurate relative positioning and navigation with respect to a moving base station, using DGNSS equipment that assumes it is stationary when operated in a reference station mode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the determination of a relative position between moving platforms, using satellite-based navigation techniques and equipment installed on said platforms. It combines the concepts of observation-space and navigation-space differential systems, and operates a DGNSS base station in a time-varying mode, in order to rely on the built-in differential positioning and navigation capabilities of particular GNSS receivers while minimizing datalink loading and computational load in auxiliary processors. The invention achieves accurate relative positioning and navigation with respect to a moving base station, using DGNSS equipment that assumes it is stationary when operated in a reference station mode.