公开(公告)号：US20240199240A1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-20

申请号：US18415398

申请日：2024-01-17

Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.

Inventor： Andrew C. Thompson ,  Patrick Sodt ,  Thomas Tarlton ,  Robert S. Tarlton ,  Solomon Westerman ,  Michael Dergance

IPC: B64G1/64 ,  B64G1/22 ,  B64G1/24 ,  B64G1/40

CPC classification number: B64G1/645 ,  B64G1/2427 ,  B64G1/641 ,  B64G1/223 ,  B64G1/226 ,  B64G1/40 ,  B64G1/643

Abstract: A method of deploying a plurality of spacecraft includes coupling the plurality of spacecraft in a stack to a payload adaptor, the stack extending along a longitudinal axis; launching the payload adaptor into an orbit; and decoupling an entirety of the stack from the payload adaptor after the payload adaptor reaches the orbit.

公开(公告)号：US11878820B1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-23

申请号：US16870974

申请日：2020-05-10

Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.

Inventor： Andrew C. Thompson ,  Patrick Sodt ,  Thomas Tarlton ,  Robert S. Tarlton ,  Solomon Westerman ,  Michael Dergance

IPC: B64G1/64 ,  B64G1/24 ,  B64G1/40 ,  B64G1/22

CPC classification number: B64G1/645 ,  B64G1/2427 ,  B64G1/641 ,  B64G1/223 ,  B64G1/226 ,  B64G1/40 ,  B64G1/643

Abstract: A method of releasing spacecraft from a rocket includes arranging spacecraft in a stack on a rocket, launching the rocket until it attains orbital velocity, imposing a flat spin on the rocket, and releasing the entire stack from the rocket during the flat spin. In one aspect, the method includes applying a compressive load along a length of the stack, launching the rocket until it attains orbital velocity, imposing a flat spin on the rocket, and releasing the compressive load to allow the entire stack to separate from the rocket during the flat spin.