Orbital Sciences Corporation Ii

Orbital Research Partners, L.p.

Frank L Byers

George W Salt

James R McCandless

A novel apparatus for supporting a payload in the cargo bay of a reusable space vehicle, like the orbiter of the NASA Space Transportation System (STS). In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of pad assemblies which are attached to a cradle located in the cargo bay of the orbiter. The pad assemblies are mounted at intervals along the inside surface of the cradle and can be adjusted in the radial direction by means of a screw adjustment. Each pad assembly comprises a pad covering, a rocker pad, and an alignment and adjustment apparatus. The pad covering is bonded to the rocker pad and makes a bearing connection with the payload. The pad covering comprises a plurality of elastomeric pads interleaved with metal sheets. The outer surface of the pad covering is shaped to accommodate a cylindrical payload. The rocker pad is attached to the cradle by means of the alignment and adjustment apparatus. That apparatus comprises a socket connector, threaded adjusting bar, lower key structure, a keeper and a cradle attachment bracket and bolts. The apparatus permits the pad assembly to be adjusted radially and longitudinally in order to properly position the pad assembly with respect to the payload.

Pad apparatus for supporting a payload in a cradle apparatus of a space

A lightweight cradle apparatus for supporting payloads such as an upper stage and a mated spacecraft in the cargo bay of a reusable space vehicle like the orbiter used in the NASA Space Transportation System. The cradle apparatus provides support for the payload during launch, abort, and landing of the orbiter and deployment of the payload. The cradle apparatus comprises a forward cradle and an aft cradle that are connected by longitudinal support members. The forward cradle comprises two radial sections joined by a hinge and by a latch, the aft cradle consists of an aft cradle disc and an aft cradle adapter assembly, each longitudinal support member consists of two longitudinal links. The links are joined together at the forward end where they connect to the forward cradle and the links are separated at the aft end by a spacer and connect to the aft cradle. The cradle apparatus transfers loads to the orbiter by means of a keel pin and trunnion connections. The payload is deployed in space by opening the cargo bay doors, unlatching the latch on the forward cradle, rotating the upper section of the forward cradle about the hinge, and rotating the aft cradle and the payload to the launch position for the payload.

Growing community of inventors

Littleton, CO, United States of America

Frank L Byers