US 6,149,104 A · Structural layout for spacecraft including specialized compartment configuration

Abstract

A spacecraft propulsion module (16) that includes an outer cylindrical housing (20), an end wall (22) and a specialized internal structure (50) that is capable of supporting various spacecraft components (110, 112, 124), to provide different levels of spacecraft complexity for different missions. The internal structure (50) within the housing (20) includes a plurality of inner walls (52-58) defining an "eggcrate" structure. The plurality of inner walls (52-58) includes a first pair of walls (52, 54), extending in one direction and a second pair of walls (56, 58) extending in a substantially orthogonal direction to define a center compartment (76) surrounded by a plurality of perimeter compartments (60-74). The inner walls (52-58) and the outer housing (20) define support surfaces on which can be mounted different spacecraft components, such as propellant tanks (110), pressurant tanks (168), life support tanks (126), control, guidance, navigation and communication avionics (124), batteries (112), etc. depending on the particular spacecraft design. The outer surface of the cylinder housing (20) and end wall (22) provide a significant amount of surface area for mounting engines (36) and thrusters (38) to give the module (16) free flying capability for both four and six degrees of freedom. The intersection of the inner walls (52-58) gives the spacecraft module (16) four inner mounting points (80-86) and the intersection of the inner walls (52-58) with the outer housing (20) gives the spacecraft eight outer mounting points (88-102). These mounting points (80-102) gives the spacecraft module versatility to attach different types of mounting adapters (42, 44, 46, 164) to connect other spacecraft modules to the propulsion module (16), such as crew modules, cargo modules, equipment modules, additional propulsion modules, etc.

Claims43

Dependent claims

A spacecraft comprising a first spacecraft module, said first spacecraft module including an outer housing having a side wall and an end panel, said first spacecraft module further including a plurality of inner wall members mounted within the outer housing and combining to form a plurality of compartments within the housing, said plurality of wall members including first and second wall members extending in a first direction and third and fourth wall members extending in a second direction so that both the third and fourth wall members intersect with both the first and second wall members to define the plurality of compartments, wherein first and second intersection locations between the first wall member and the third and fourth wall members define first and second inner mounting points, and second and third intersection locations between the second wall member and the third and forth wall members define third and fourth inner mounting points, said first spacecraft module further including a module mounting assembly, said mounting assembly being removably mounted to the first, second, third and fourth inner mounting points.

A spacecraft comprising:

a first spacecraft module, said first spacecraft module including an outer housing having a side wall and an end panel, said first spacecraft module further including a plurality of inner wall members mounted within the housing and combining to form a plurality of compartments within the housing, said plurality of wall members including first and second wall members extending in a first direction and third and fourth wall members extending in a second direction so that both the third and fourth wall members intersect with both the first and second wall members to define the plurality of compartments, wherein both ends of the first, second, third and fourth wall members contact the sidewall and define eight outer mounting points on the first spacecraft module;
a second spacecraft module, said second spacecraft module including an outer housing having a side wall and an end panel, said second spacecraft module further including a plurality of inner wall members mounted within the outer housing and combining to form a plurality of compartments within the housing, said plurality of wall members in the second module including fifth and sixth wall members extending in a third direction and seventh and eighth wall members extending in a fourth direction so that the seventh and eighth wall members intersect with both the fifth and sixth wall members to define the plurality of compartments, wherein both ends of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eight wall members contact the sidewall and define eight outer mounting points on the second spacecraft module;
and
a mounting ring mounted to both the first spacecraft module and the second spacecraft module so as to connect the first and second spacecraft modules, wherein the mounting ring is attached to the first and second spacecraft modules at the at least some of the outer mounting points.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Structural layout for spacecraft including specialized compartment configuration

Life of this patent

Structural layout for spacecraft including specialized compartment configuration

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims43