Solid-state spacecraft with minimal moving parts

Details Solid-state spacecraft with minimal moving parts Solid-state spacecraft with minimal moving parts

1998-07-27

2000-08-08

Swiatek, Robert P.

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

With fuel system details

244158R, B64G 110, B64G 122

Patent

active

060989300

ABSTRACT:
A compact spacecraft (10, 22) having a potentially long life in orbit as a result of its use of non-moving and solid-state components entirely or wherever possible. Amorphous silicon arrays (14, 24, 44) are used for solar energy collection. Because the arrays are not limited to a flat panel configuration, no movement is needed except for possible initial deployment. Phased arrays (12, 26) are used wherever possible for antenna arrays, in combination with torque rods (18, 3) for coarse attitude control of the spacecraft. Avionics modules (30, 50) are fabricated using large wafer-scale techniques and energy storage using long life battery or a solid-state capattery (52) technology. Propulsion is also effected with no moving parts, using waffle propulsion modules (20, 28, 54), which use elemental containers of propellant that is selectively ignited to supply propulsive force. This combination of features extends the useful life of the spacecraft beyond limits imposed primarily by mechanical moving parts, and by high levels of redundancy.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5386953 (1995-02-01), Stuart
patent: 5641135 (1997-06-01), Stuart et al.

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