Release System for Deploying Satellites

摘要

A release system may include a space vehicle separation plate operably coupled to a space vehicle, a launch vehicle adaptor plate operably coupled to a launch vehicle capable of carrying the space vehicle into space or into a ballistic (non-orbital) trajectory for release of the space vehicle from the launch vehicle, an actuator release mechanism assembly and a biasing element assembly. The actuator release mechanism assembly may be configured to separably couple the space vehicle separation plate to the launch vehicle adaptor plate. The biasing element assembly may be configured to provide a configurable force in a first direction normal to a surface of the launch vehicle adaptor plate to separate the space vehicle separation plate from the launch vehicle adaptor plate when the actuator-release mechanism assembly is triggered to release the space vehicle separation plate from the launch vehicle adaptor plate

主权项

1. A release system comprising:
a space vehicle separation plate operably coupled to a space vehicle; a launch vehicle adaptor plate operably coupled to a launch vehicle capable of carrying the space vehicle into space or into a ballistic trajectory for release of the space vehicle from the launch vehicle in multiple orientations and with tunable relative velocity; an actuator-release mechanism assembly configured to separably couple the space vehicle separation plate to the launch vehicle adaptor plate, the actuator-release mechanism assembly comprising a clamp assembly configured to clamp an edge of the space vehicle separation plate together with an edge of launch vehicle adaptor plate to fix a surface of the space vehicle separation plate in proximity to a surface of the launch vehicle adaptor plate prior to release of the space vehicle separation plate; and a biasing element assembly configured to provide a force in a first direction normal to a surface of the launch vehicle adaptor plate to separate the space vehicle separation plate from the launch vehicle adaptor plate when the actuator-release mechanism assembly is triggered to release the space vehicle separation plate from the launch vehicle adaptor plate.