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US 2015/0090842 A1Published application
Airlock with enlarged viewports
AssigneeBigelow Aerospace
InventorRobert T. Bigelow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An airlock that provides a substantially 360 view using enlarged viewports is disclosed.
Claims1
An airlock for use with a spacecraft, the spacecraft having an internal volume, the airlock comprising:
- an enclosure defining an airlock space, the enclosure having a substantially cylindrical shape with a first end of the enclosure adapted to attach to a bulkhead of the spacecraft, a second end of the enclosure having a docking port, an external surface of the enclosure, and the enclosure having a plurality of enlarged viewports that provide substantially a 360 degree view from within the airlock;
- a plurality of thrusters disposed on the external surface of the enclosure;
- at least one solar array attachment point on the external surface;
- at least one radiator attachment point disposed on the external surface;
- and
- a control panel within the airlock space, and the control panel providing communications with the spacecraft, status of the airlock, and control for the docking port;
- wherein the docking port is adapted to dock with another spacecraft and the airlock providing access to the internal volume of the spacecraft.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.