Rca Inc.

William V Fuldner

Eugene R Ganssle

William E Stoney

An orbiting satellite system includes an asymmetrically deployed antenna and two deployable solar cell arrays. The solar cell arrays are deployed to a location which compensates for the asymmetry of the antenna so that the resulting station keeping thruster torques balance. Also, the system surfaces may be configured and the arrays so deployed to balance solar pressure torques on the system.

Spacecraft structure with symmetrical mass center and asymmetrical

A method is disclosed for docking a satellite to the STS or space shuttle orbiter with one Remote Manipulator System (RMS). The RMS is deployed and captures a fixture on the satellite. The satellite extends its mooring boom. The RMS manuevers the satellite to engage the free end of the boom onto a fixture on the orbiter. This method of docking is used in conjunction with exchanging a new payload module on the orbiter with a spent payload module on the satellite.

Spacecraft to shuttle docking method and apparatus

Heating elements and temperature sensing devices are positioned in diametrically opposed pairs along a tubular boom extending outwardly from a spacecraft. As temperature differentials are detected across the diameter of the boom, current is selectively applied to the heating element on the cooler side of the boom to equalize the temperature and prevent boom distortion. In another application, current may be selectively applied to a heating element to cause bending of the boom to achieve a desired positioning of the tip portion of the boom.

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Yardley, PA, United States of America

William V Fuldner