Annular support structure
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorMichael David Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An annular support structure may support a cargo spacecraft having a service module and a cargo module. The cargo module of the cargo spacecraft is positioned along the launch vehicle axis in a direction distal from the support structure, and at least a portion of the service module of the cargo spacecraft positioned within an annulus of the support structure.
Claims20
A cargo spacecraft configured to be associated with different types of launch vehicles based in part on an annular support structure that is coupleable to the different types of launch vehicles and that is positionable to releasably support the cargo spacecraft as one of different cargo spacecrafts capable of association with a same one of the annular support structure, wherein the annular support structure is configured to remain with a respective one of the different types of launch vehicles after the cargo spacecraft separates therefrom as part of a space mission.
A method comprising:
- releasably connecting a cargo spacecraft to a launch vehicle based in part on an annular support structure that is positionable to releasably support the cargo spacecraft as one of different cargo spacecrafts capable of association with a same one of the annular support structure;
- and
- separating the cargo spacecraft from the launch vehicle, wherein the annular support structure is to remain with the launch vehicle.
A cargo spacecraft associated with a launch vehicle and releasably supported at least in part by an annular support structure, wherein the annular support structure is to remain with the launch vehicle after the cargo spacecraft separates therefrom as part of a space mission.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.