Thermoinsulating covering for spacecraft and spacecraft comprising such covering

摘要

The cover (12) comprises a thermally insulating layer of several separate panels (14) of material which is applied to the satellite or space vehicle. The panels are attached to the body of the satellite by sliding fasteners (16). The fastener may be formed from two plastics strips (20a,20b) of material, one of which is adhered to the satellite body whilst the other is adhered to the thermally insulating material. One strip has a projecting rib (16b) whilst the other strip has a projecting channel (16a). The rib is capable of insertion into the channel. The rib and channel may be fastened together by use of a sliding cursor which runs along the joining surfaces and can be removed at the end of the strips.