Solar array-mounted stationkeeping and maneuvering thrusters
US6036143A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spacecraft includes a thruster coupled to an outward-facing portion of each solar array such that the thruster plume faces outward from the spacecraft. With the thruster located outboard of any erosion-sensitive surfaces on the spacecraft, the thruster exhaust is directed away from the spacecraft. Since canting of the thrusters is no longer required, the mounting of the thruster in the outward-facing portion of each solar array increases the effective Isp of the thruster. A thruster drive assembly is coupled to each solar array, adjacent to the thruster, for positioning the thruster such that any thruster exhaust is directed away from the spacecraft. A central supply tank is conveniently coupled to a central body portion of the spacecraft for providing a common propellant supply to each of the thrusters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.