Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Spacecraft formation – orbit – or interplanetary path
Patent
1993-10-13
1995-05-02
Barefoot, Galen L.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Spacecraft formation, orbit, or interplanetary path
244161, B64G 164, B64G 110
Patent
active
054112265
ABSTRACT:
A lift vehicle has an elongated support structure affixed to its upper end, with the axis of elongation of the support structure parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis of the lift vehicle. The support structure defines a plurality of attachment planes, each of which includes the axis of elongation, which together divide the region about the axis of elongation into N angular sections or regions, each with an included angle of 360.degree./N. A plurality MN of spacecraft are organized into a plurality of M sets or layers, each containing N spacecraft. Each spacecraft defines first and second lateral support planes, skewed relative to each other, which intersect at a line of intersection, is parallel to the axis of elongation when the spacecraft are mounted to the support structure. Two or more spacecraft are mounted in end-to-end position in each angular portion. Each spacecraft stiffens the support structure, so that the stiffened support structure, can sustain the launch forces. Spacecraft of upper layers do not bear on lower layers. Controllable attachments hold the first and second lateral support planes of each spacecraft adjacent to the attachment planes defined by the support structure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3048107 (1962-08-01), Samms
patent: 3362290 (1968-01-01), Carr
patent: 3380687 (1968-04-01), Wrench et al.
patent: 3420470 (1969-01-01), Meyer
patent: 3513512 (1970-05-01), Phillips
patent: 3652042 (1972-03-01), Wether
patent: 4067308 (1978-01-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 4333384 (1982-06-01), Arnold
patent: 4715565 (1987-12-01), Wittmann
patent: 4964596 (1990-10-01), Ganssle
patent: 5152482 (1992-10-01), Perkins et al.
patent: 5199672 (1993-04-01), King et al.
Dockstader, Jr. Robert K.
Foley James P.
Jones Ernest R.
Barefoot Galen L.
Berard C. A.
Martin Marietta Corporation
Meise W. H.
Young S. A.
LandOfFree
Spacecraft adapter and dispenser does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Spacecraft adapter and dispenser, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Spacecraft adapter and dispenser will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1131902