Apparatus for grasping objects in space

[0020] The inventive apparatus for grasping a target object is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is shown deployed in a grasping operation in FIGS. 6 to 8. Furthermore, detailed features of one free-flying grasper unit included in the overall inventive apparatus are shown in the detail views of FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0021] Generally referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the inventive apparatus includes at least one, and preferably in this embodiment three, free-flying grasper units 1, 21 and 22 mounted on one axial end of an orbital platform 3 such as a utility or service satellite, or the like. The orbital platform 3 has its own propulsion unit 30 as well as maneuvering thrusters 31. The orbital platform 3 also includes all necessary conventionally known onboard systems for flying, maneuvering, and controlling the orbital platform 3, for producing electrical power, as well as for control and data communication to a ground station on earth, or a control station on a space station or the like, for example via