Patent · US Expired

Spacecraft structure with symmetrical mass center and asymmetrical deployable appendages

US4684084A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
6References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 29, 1984
Grant dateAug 4, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 29, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S136/292
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An orbiting satellite system includes an asymmetrically deployed antenna and two deployable solar cell arrays. The solar cell arrays are deployed to a location which compensates for the asymmetry of the antenna so that the resulting station keeping thruster torques balance. Also, the system surfaces may be configured and the arrays so deployed to balance solar pressure torques on the system.

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