Cubesat system

US11021274B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Triad National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• Stephen Judd · Los Alamos, US
• Nicholas Dallmann · Los Alamos, US
• Kevin McCabe · Santa Fe, US
• Donald Enemark · Los Alamos, US
• Michael Proicou · Los Alamos, US
• Daniel Seitz · Altstätten, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 8, 2016
• Grant date: Jun 1, 2021
• Expiry date: Feb 8, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/66
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Small cubesat systems may be available for a lower cost, have a higher reliability, and be much simpler to use than conventional cubesats. A complete turnkey system solution may be provided, including the ground station and remote field units. The satellite, ground station, and field unit may be provided separately as kits that are ready to go out-of-the-box as soon as they arrive. This enables universities, researchers, and hobbyists to obtain and deploy their own functional satellites. Furthermore, theoretical designs and functionality may be rapidly prototyped and demonstrated, which allows for proof-of-concept without needing to build a larger, more expensive satellite system and hope that the new design or functionality works as intended.