Satellite with deployable optical assembly

A method of configuring a satellite with deployable optics, the satellite comprising:

• a frame comprising:
• a fixed, substantially rectangular cross-section;
• a longitudinal length, extending along a longitudinal axis, substantially perpendicular to the rectangular cross-section, wherein the longitudinal length is larger than the largest dimension of the rectangular cross-section;
• and
• an optical axis, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a deployable optical system, having a mechanical aperture perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein light collected travels substantially parallel to the optical axis, the deployable optical system having a deployed configuration and a stored configuration wherein:
• in the stored configuration, the optical system remains substantially within the frame;
• and
• in the deployed configuration, the optical system extends substantially outside the frame;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• providing the satellite with deployable optics in the stored configuration;
• while the satellite is in orbit, setting the satellite to the deployed configuration;
• detecting a deployment malfunction;
• and
• setting the satellite to a partially deployed configuration, wherein the optical system partially deploys, such that the optical system has a light-collecting area smaller than the deployed light-collecting area.

A method of configuring a satellite with deployable optics, the satellite comprising:

• a frame comprising:
• a fixed, substantially rectangular cross-section;
• a longitudinal length, extending along a longitudinal axis, substantially perpendicular to the rectangular cross-section, wherein the longitudinal length is larger than the largest dimension of the rectangular cross-section;
• and
• an optical axis, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a deployable optical system, having a mechanical aperture perpendicular to the optical axis, wherein light collected travels substantially parallel to the optical axis, the deployable optical system having a deployed configuration and a stored configuration wherein:
• in the stored configuration, the optical system remains substantially within the frame;
• and
• in the deployed configuration, the optical system extends substantially outside the frame, wherein the satellite has a deployed light-collecting area;
• the optical system having a deployed light-collecting area, and a possible stored light-collecting area smaller than the deployed light-collecting area;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• providing the satellite with deployable optics in the stored configuration;
• while the satellite is in orbit, setting the satellite to a partially deployed configuration, such that a secondary mirror is deployed and aligned to fixed primary petals to create a functioning optical system;
• and
• fully deploying the system by deploying additional primary petals, such that the functioning optical system has an increased light-collecting area.