A payload retrieval system includes a support structure and a retriever guide coupled to the support structure. The retriever guide includes a body that forms a channel having an inlet end and an exit end and a tether slot that provides access to the channel. The retriever guide is adapted to receive, at the inlet end of the channel, a payload retriever secured to a tether and to direct the payload retriever to the exit end of the channel while the tether pulls the payload retriever through the retriever guide. The retriever guide also includes a first retaining wall extending upward from the body of the retriever guide along a first side of the tether slot and a second retaining wall extending upward from the body of the retriever guide along a second side of the tether slot. The payload retrieval system also includes a payload holder disposed at the exit end of the channel.
Payload Retrieval System with Tether Retaining Walls
2025-07-03
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
Orbit transfer of service vehicle-payload through tether retrieval
Online Contents | 2004
|A High Payload Capacity Tether System
ASCE | 2002
|A High Payload Capacity Tether System
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2002
|Payload Retrieval Apparatus Having Tether Slot Projection for Use with a UAV
European Patent Office | 2024
|PAYLOAD RETRIEVAL APPARATUS HAVING TETHER SLOT PROJECTION FOR USE WITH A UAV
European Patent Office | 2025
|