Rotatable stacked spacecraft
US10479534B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2017 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/428
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system includes at least two spacecraft disposed together for launch by a launch vehicle. In a launch configuration, a second spacecraft is mechanically coupled with the first spacecraft by way of an inter-spacecraft coupling arrangement (ISCA). The system is configured to be deployed following injection into a first orbit by the launch vehicle, while the second spacecraft is mechanically coupled with the first spacecraft. The first spacecraft includes a thruster configured to execute an orbit transfer maneuver from the first orbit to a second orbit, the thruster delivering thrust along a thrust vector. In an on-orbit configuration, the ISCA is switchable between a first mode that permits rotation of the first spacecraft with respect to the second spacecraft about a first axis of rotation that is approximately parallel with the thrust vector and a second mode that prevents rotation of the first spacecraft with respect to the second spacecraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.