Space Systems/loral, LLC

Robert Edward Helmer

John Douglas Lymer

John C Hall

Andrew E Turner

Walter S Gelon

Alfred Heikal Tadros

Robert Erik Schwarz

William G Hart, Iii

Paul Anthony Briggs

A spacecraft includes a plurality of deployable module elements, at least one of the deployable module elements including a robotic manipulator, the spacecraft being reconfigurable from a launch configuration to an on-orbit configuration. In the launch configuration, the deployable module elements are disposed in a launch vehicle in a first arrangement. In the on-orbit configuration, the deployable module elements are disposed in a second configuration. The spacecraft is self-assembled by the robotic manipulator reconfiguring the spacecraft from the launch configuration, through a transition configuration, to the on-orbit configuration. The deployable module elements may be in a stacked arrangement in the launch configuration and may be in a side-by-side arrangement in the on-orbit configuration.

Self-assembling persistent space platform

A spacecraft including a main body structure and at least a first deployable element is reconfigured from a launch configuration to an on-orbit configuration. In the launch configuration, the first deployable element is mechanically attached with the spacecraft main body structure by way of a first arrangement. In the on-orbit configuration, the first deployable element is mechanically attached with the spacecraft main body structure by way of a second arrangement. Reconfiguring the spacecraft includes detaching the first deployable element from the first arrangement, moving the first deployable element with respect to the spacecraft main body structure; and attaching the first deployable element to the second arrangement.

On-orbit assembly of communication satellites

A spacecraft includes an aft surface, a forward surface and a main body structure disposed therebetween, a stowage and deployment arrangement (SDA) joined to the main body structure by a first mechanical coupling, and an antenna that includes a respective feed element and a rigid antenna reflector coupled with the main body by way of the SDA. The feed element is joined to the main body structure by a second, different, mechanical coupling. The spacecraft is reconfigurable from a launch configuration, with the reflector is disposed forward of the forward surface, with its aperture plane substantially parallel to the forward surface, to an on-orbit configuration. The SDA repositions the reflector to a second position corresponding to the on-orbit configuration. In the second position, the reflector is disposed, Earth facing, substantially aft of the forward surface and outboard of the main body structure and is illuminated by the respective feed element.

Stowage, deployment and positioning of rigid antenna reflectors on a spacecraft

A spacecraft comprises a first module including a first assembly of components and a second module including a second assembly of components and a thermal radiator. The second module is movable between a stowed position proximate the first module whereat the thermal radiator is only partially operative and a deployed position distant from the first module whereat the thermal radiator means is fully operative for dissipating waste heat to deep space for at least one of the first and second assemblies of components. In one embodiment, the first module includes a housing defining an interior cavity, the second module including a casing so shaped and dimensioned as to be telescopically received within the internal cavity of the first module and the second module being translationally movable along a deploying axis between the stowed position and the deployed position but incapable of mutual rotation about the deploying axis. In another embodiment, a spacecraft includes a plurality of discrete faces and comprises an equipment panel including an assembly of heat generating components which require cooling, a thermal radiator, and a connecting hinge mounting the equipment panel for pivotal movement between a stowed position proximate one of said faces whereat the thermal radiator is only partially operative and a deployed position distant from the face whereat said thermal radiator means is fully operative for dissipating waste heat from the assembly to deep space.

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Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Robert Edward Helmer