Satellite with deployable optical assembly
US12043416B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/22
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A satellite with deployable optics is provided. The satellite has a frame, an optical axis, and a deployable optical system. The optical system has a mechanical aperture perpendicular to the optical axis, where light collected travels substantially parallel to the optical axis. The optical system has a stored configuration in which it remains within the frame and a deployed configuration in which it extends outside the frame. In some configurations, the light-collecting area of the deployed configuration is larger than the possible light-collecting area of the stored configuration. In a partially deployed configuration, all of the primary mirror segments remain substantially within the frame, and the light-collecting area is smaller than that in the deployed configuration. A method of using the satellite includes setting the satellite to the deployed configuration, detecting whether there is a deployment malfunction, and, if so, setting the satellite to a partially deployed configuration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.