Spacecraft adapter having embedded resources, and methods of forming same
First Claim
1. A modular, embedded resources adaptor for use on a launch platform, independent of a spacecraft bus carried by the launch platform, comprising;
- a housing fixedly secured to the launch platform, the housing be configured to enable physical coupling to a non-primary payload, so as to support the non-primary payload therefrom;
a power source housed within the housing;
a power distribution and control subsystem in communication with said power sources, and being housed within the housing; and
at least one interface module contained within said housing for interfacing with the non-primary payload supported on the launch vehicle; and
wherein said power source, said power distribution and control sub-system and said interface module operate completely independently from said spacecraft bus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spacecraft adapter having embedded resources for supporting a non-primary payload on a launch vehicle. The spacecraft adapter includes a battery, a power distribution and control system, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the non-primary payload. Other modules/subsystems such as data storage, sensor and data interface and communications may be included to suit the needs of a particular non-primary payload and/or particular mission of the non-primary payload. The adaptor does not require any interfacing with the bus of the primary payload and can be scaled/modified as needed to provide only that degree of functionality needed for a given non-primary payload being carried by the launch vehicle.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A modular, embedded resources adaptor for use on a launch platform, independent of a spacecraft bus carried by the launch platform, comprising;
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a housing fixedly secured to the launch platform, the housing be configured to enable physical coupling to a non-primary payload, so as to support the non-primary payload therefrom; a power source housed within the housing; a power distribution and control subsystem in communication with said power sources, and being housed within the housing; and at least one interface module contained within said housing for interfacing with the non-primary payload supported on the launch vehicle; and
wherein said power source, said power distribution and control sub-system and said interface module operate completely independently from said spacecraft bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A modular, embedded resources adaptor for use on a space craft launch platform, independent of a spacecraft bus carried by the launch platform, comprising:
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a housing fixedly secured to said launch platform; a power source disposed within said housing; a power distribution and control subsystem disposed within said housing and in communication with said power source; a data storage module disposed within said housing; and an interface module in communication with said power distribution and control and housed within said for interfacing with a non-primary payload being carried by said launch vehicle; and
wherein said power source, said power distribution and control sub-system and said interface module operate completely independently from said spacecraft bus. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A modular spacecraft adaptor for use on a spacecraft launch vehicle independent of a spacecraft bus of the launch vehicle, the adaptor comprising:
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a housing adapted to be fixedly secured to the launch vehicle; a power source disposed in said housing; a power and control distribution subsystem housed within said housing and in communication with said power source; an interface module disposed adjacent said housing for interfacing with said power distribution and control subsystem, and also with a non-primary payload; a communications module housed adjacent said housing; and
wherein said power source, said power distribution and control sub-system and said interface module operate completely independently from said spacecraft bus. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification