Commercial experiment system in orbit
US6945498B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/14
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An orbital experiment system with different internal experiment locations within a reusable launch vehicle making daylong delivery trips to space. The experiments get access to the attributes of low earth orbit, the reusable launch vehicle's power and other subsystems. The experimenter utilizes uniform experiment trays having a uniform connector for connection to an experiment management unit mounted on the orbital vehicle. The experiment management unit provides power and data from the orbital vehicle related to the operation of the orbital vehicle and permits an experiment check simulation prior to integration into the launch vehicle. The uniform size and connectivity requirements provide low cost options for the delivery of an experiment into space and the return of the experiment from space. A commercial transportation system to and from orbit delivers a primary payload and provides a 24-hour return cycle for the internal secondary experiments, which provide a quick confirmation of technical experiment exposure to space and quick re-flight opportunities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.