Systems and methods for launching a plurality of spacecraft
US11505338B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2019 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/6455
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for launching a plurality of spacecraft, provided in a stack of spacecraft, from a launch vehicle traveling along an in-track path include releasing, in a first separation event occurring at a first time, a first spacecraft from the stack of spacecraft using a first separation force having a first separation force in-track component along the in-track path. Subsequently, in a second separation event occurring at a second time, a second spacecraft is released from the stack of spacecraft using a second separation force having a second separation force in-track component along the in-track path, wherein the second time occurs a first time delay after the first time. The first and second separation in-track components may be different, such as by varying a magnitude of the separation force or an angle at which the spacecraft is launched.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.