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US 11,958,636 B2Granted
Dynamically adjusted alignment between payload and spacecraft
AssigneeMomentus Space LLC
InventorsMatthew Parman, Joel Sercel, Mikhail Kokorich, James Small, Nicholas Simon, Nathan Orr, Samuel Avery, Scott Stanley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method of facilitating flight operations, a payload is coupled to a spacecraft via a payload interface. The relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft is dynamically adjusted (e.g., for thrust alignment) while the payload remains coupled to the spacecraft.
Claims18
A method of facilitating flight operations, the method comprising:
- coupling a payload to a spacecraft via a payload interface;
- performing thrusting events;
- measuring pitch and yaw of the coupled payload and spacecraft;
- and
- dynamically adjusting the relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft while the payload remains coupled to the spacecraft, wherein dynamically adjusting the relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft includes dynamically adjusting the relative alignment during the thrusting events to control the pitch and yaw based at least on the measured pitch and yaw.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a payload interface configured to couple a payload to a spacecraft;
- a thruster system configured to perform thrusting events;
- sensors configured to measure the pitch and yaw of the coupled payload and spacecraft;
- and
- a control system configured to dynamically adjust a relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft while the payload remains coupled to the spacecraft, wherein dynamically adjusting the relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft includes dynamically adjusting the relative alignment during the thrusting events to control the pitch and yaw based on the measured pitch and yaw.
2 more elements
A method of facilitating flight operations, the method comprising:
- coupling a payload to a spacecraft via a payload interface;
- and
- dynamically adjusting the relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft while the payload remains coupled to the spacecraft,
- wherein the payload interface includes a mounting plate, and wherein dynamically adjusting the relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft includes moving the mounting plate laterally and/or longitudinally.
1 more element
A system comprising:
- a payload interface configured to couple a payload to a spacecraft;
- and
- a control system configured to dynamically adjust a relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft while the payload remains coupled to the spacecraft,
- wherein the payload interface includes a mounting plate, and wherein dynamically adjusting the relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft includes moving the mounting plate laterally and/or longitudinally.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.