Spacecraft stack assembly and method for stacking, securing, and releasing spacecraft
AssigneeSpace Exploration Technologies Corp.
InventorsAndrew C. Thompson, Patrick Sodt, Thomas Tarlton, Robert S. Tarlton, Solomon Westerman, Michael Dergance
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of deploying a plurality of spacecraft includes coupling the plurality of spacecraft in a stack to a payload adaptor, the stack extending along a longitudinal axis; launching the payload adaptor into an orbit; and decoupling an entirety of the stack from the payload adaptor after the payload adaptor reaches the orbit.
Claims20
A method of deploying a plurality of spacecraft, the method comprising:
- coupling the plurality of spacecraft in a stack to a payload adaptor, the stack extending along a longitudinal axis;
- launching the payload adaptor into an orbit;
- and
- decoupling an entirety of the stack from the payload adaptor after the payload adaptor reaches the orbit.
A method of releasing spacecraft from a payload adaptor, the method comprising:
- arranging spacecraft in a stack on the payload adaptor, the stack extending along a longitudinal axis;
- applying a compressive load along a length of the stack;
- launching the payload adaptor into an orbit;
- and
- after the payload adaptor reaches the orbit, releasing the compressive load to allow an entirety of the stack to separate from the payload adaptor.
A method for deploying spacecraft into orbit, the method comprising:
- arranging a stack of spacecraft on a payload adaptor, the stack extending along a longitudinal axis, with each layer of the stack defined by at least one spacecraft and with each spacecraft being releasably mated with at least one spacecraft in an adjacent layer;
- securing a first end of a tension rod to the payload adaptor and a second end of the tension rod to the stack;
- launching the payload adaptor into an orbit;
- and
- releasing, as the payload adaptor is in the orbit, an entirety the stack from the payload adaptor to allow the stack to passively separate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.