Self-assembling persistent space platform
US10661918B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G2004/005
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spacecraft includes a plurality of deployable module elements, at least one of the deployable module elements including a robotic manipulator, the spacecraft being reconfigurable from a launch configuration to an on-orbit configuration. In the launch configuration, the deployable module elements are disposed in a launch vehicle in a first arrangement. In the on-orbit configuration, the deployable module elements are disposed in a second configuration. The spacecraft is self-assembled by the robotic manipulator reconfiguring the spacecraft from the launch configuration, through a transition configuration, to the on-orbit configuration. The deployable module elements may be in a stacked arrangement in the launch configuration and may be in a side-by-side arrangement in the on-orbit configuration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.