Spacecraft structure and method
AssigneeFairchild Space and Defense Corporation
InventorJohn N. Fiore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Spacecraft structure for use in the construction of the outer wall of a spacecraft. The construction of the outer wall of the spacecraft includes a hollow cellular honeycomb material that is sandwiched between a thin outer curved solid panel and a thin solid inner panel that has at least a portion that has a substantially flat inner surface. The inner and/or outer panel have provisions for mounting at least a portion of the payload for the spacecraft utilizing a series of inserts secured to the inner or outer panel. The outer and/or inner spacecraft wall panel structure can also include heat pipes for use in heat transfer. In one embodiment of the invention the outer panel also includes a series of substantially flat surfaces. The invention also includes the method of construction of the spacecraft structure and its method of use.
Claims8
A spacecraft structure having a curved outer surface, comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body structure comprising a series of panel members;
- at least one of said series of panel members comprising an inner panel, an outer panel, and a honeycomb member located between said inner panel and said outer panel, with said outer panel forming a portion of the curved outer surface of said spacecraft structure;
- and,
- at least one insert located in said inner panel for mounting payload to said spacecraft structure;
- said panel members providing sole load support for said spacecraft structure, whereby said spacecraft structure is of frameless construction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.