Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Systems, assemblies, and methods for system for mitigating electrostatic discharge between space vehicles
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Application No.: US17074610Application Date: 2020-10-19
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Publication No.: US11434026B2Publication Date: 2022-09-06
- Inventor: Christine A. Agathon-Burton , Matthew Alan Michel , Dewey Edwin Cochran , Ronald Lynn Graham , Gregg A. Herbert , William A. Llorens
- Applicant: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
- Applicant Address: US MN Plymouth
- Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
- Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
- Current Assignee Address: US MN Plymouth
- Agency: Phillips Winchester
- Main IPC: B64G1/52
- IPC: B64G1/52 ; B64G1/64 ; B64G1/40 ; B64G1/10

Abstract:
Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
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