Patent · US Expired

Orbital spacecraft having common main reflector and plural frequency selective subreflectors

US4562441A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 3, 1982
Grant dateDec 31, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 3, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S343/02
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to multi-mission orbital spacecraft of the kind comprising a platform and several different payloads including several telecommunication antenna feed systems. The problem is to avoid antenna interference, obtain bigger effective antenna aperture, avoid the necessity for replacing main antennae when replacing payloads, and make maximum use of longer platofrm life. In accordance with the invention, the antenna system comprises a common primary reflector which is a permanent integral part of the platform while the feed systems are mounted on the payloads, which may be launched separately, and are assembled with the platform to cooperate with the common platform antenna system in operation. The invention is mainly applicable to multi-mission satellites.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.