Satellite dispensing system
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsEric Eckstein, Brian Allen Cyb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Stacked satellite dispensing systems are described herein. The disclosed systems can release individual satellites or small batches of satellites from a satellite stack in a controlled manner. Dispensing individual satellites at different locations in space can more evenly dispense satellites or to dispense satellites at distinct locations. A deployment system, including a motor, a cable, and spacers, can allow for the individual satellites to be deployed from the satellite stack. The disclosed satellite dispensing systems also include spacers that are positioned between two or more satellites to help attenuate the force of the mass of satellites stacked above.
Claims20
A satellite dispensing system comprising:
- satellite dispensing channels arranged in a polygonal configuration, each configured to contain a column of satellites, and each configured to slidably interface with a protruding portion of each of the satellites in the column of satellites;
- a cable respectively associated with each of the satellite dispensing channels and configured to mechanically interface with the column of satellites in the satellite dispensing channels;
- a motor respectively associated with each of the satellite dispensing channels, the motor configured to drive the cable;
- and
- a controller configured to selectively and separately activate the motor in each of the satellite dispensing channels so as to allow satellites to be dispensed from different satellite dispensing channels at different times.
A satellite dispensing system comprising:
- satellite dispensing bays arranged in a radial configuration, each configured to contain a stack of satellites;
- guide channels in each of the satellite dispensing bays, wherein the guide channels are configured to engage with channel interfaces that project from each of the satellites;
- a cable associated with each of the satellite dispensing bays and configured to interface with each of the satellites in the stack of satellites;
- a motor coupled to each cable and configured to actuate movement of the cable;
- and
- a controller configured to coordinate the actuation of the motor to dispense the satellites from selected satellite dispensing bays while maintaining the position of satellites in non-selected satellite dispensing bays.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.