Configurable platform for conducting experiments in space
US11393356B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09B5/00
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments provide experiment platforms comprising hardware, software, and user-specified data structures for user-conducted orbital experiments-by-proxy that focus on microgravity as a variable. The experiment is repeated in normal gravity as a control, on a similar platform that may or may not have been constructed and/or programmed by the user. Differences in experimental results performed by similar platforms are thus attributed to the influence of gravity on observed phenomena. Experiments are specified by user-defined data structures which govern the operation of control programs typically previously installed on orbital and ground hardware. Experimentation by proxy and parameter specification allows earthbound students to participate in space-based research at various levels of involvement and at sharply reduced cost, encouraging interest in science and technology in education and future work.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.