Other

Maxar Space LLC

Jon Brooks Upham

Douglas G Davidson

Technology is disclosed herein for deploying stacked spacecraft. When the spacecraft are stacked corresponding z-axis magnetic torque rods of the spacecraft will align with each other along a z-axis. Thus, collectively the stack of spacecraft have one or more sets of magnetic torque rods aligned with the z-axis. Just prior to deploying the spacecraft the one or more sets of magnetic torque rods are operated to hold the stack of spacecraft together. For example, the north magnetic pole of the magnetic torque rod in one spacecraft may face the south magnetic pole of the magnetic torque rod in an adjacent spacecraft. To deploy the top spacecraft, the polarity of the z-axis magnetic torque rod(s) in the top spacecraft is/are reversed. After the spacecraft is clear of the stack the magnetic torque rod(s) in the deployed spacecraft may be de-activated. Then another spacecraft may be deployed in a similar manner.

Multi-spacecraft deployment

The systemof the preferred embodiment includes a structural subsystemto provide both a stable platform and vibration isolation, a camera subsystemto capture the image of a moving object when the object moves into a viewing area, a lighting subsystemto illuminate a moving object, and a controller to selectively activate the lighting subsystemto allow observation of the reflectance of complex objects under different conditions. The systemhas been specifically designed for illuminating and capturing the image of a moving object, such as the connecting terminals (e.g., leads, ball grids, and pads) of packaged electronic components in a manufacturing facility. The systemmay, however, be used to illuminate and capture the image of any suitable moving or non-moving object.

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Jon Brooks Upham