Secondary payload interface

US8355359B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Orbital Sciences Corporation · US

Inventors

• Leonard A. Atkinson · Oak Hill, US
• Jonathan Howard · Riverhead, US
• Ronald Eugene Huebner · Waterford, US
• David A. Anhalt · Centreville, US
• Nicholas J. Pappageorge · Herndon, US
• Richard Singer · Potomac, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 4, 2008
• Grant date: Jan 15, 2013
• Expiry date: Feb 7, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B7/18521
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A secondary payload interface for payload communications using a primary payload communications channel is provided. The secondary payload interface may include a plurality of input/output couplers which may connect the primary payload communications channel to a secondary payload. The plurality of input/output couplers may establish an isolated secondary payload communications channel within the primary payload communications channel. The secondary payload interface may be designed such that control and telemetry interactions with the operators of the communications satellite are limited.