Dynamically adjusted alignment between payload and spacecraft

US11958636B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MOMENTUS SPACE LLC · US

Inventors

• Matthew Parman · Mountain View, US
• Joel C. Sercel · El Merrie Dell, US
• Mikhail Kokorich · Corges, CH
• James G. Small · Tucson, US
• Nicholas Simon · San Jose, US
• Nathan Orr · San Jose, US
• Samuel Avery · San Jose, US
• Scott Stanley · Twin Lakes, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 3, 2022
• Grant date: Apr 16, 2024
• Expiry date: May 3, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/641
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a method of facilitating flight operations, a payload is coupled to a spacecraft via a payload interface. The relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft is dynamically adjusted (e.g., for thrust alignment) while the payload remains coupled to the spacecraft.