초록 ▼

Systems (10, 10a) and a methods (40) that employ a spin-stabilized spacecraft (12) in combination with a support and deployment module (14) to carry a plurality of probes (16) containing scientific instruments that are to enter a planet's atmosphere and/or are to be landed on a planet (19) that is t

Systems (10, 10a) and a methods (40) that employ a spin-stabilized spacecraft (12) in combination with a support and deployment module (14) to carry a plurality of probes (16) containing scientific instruments that are to enter a planet's atmosphere and/or are to be landed on a planet (19) that is to be explored. The spacecraft (12) functions as a probe carrier using the support and deployment module (14), and near the planet (19), it functions as an orbiting communications satellite (12) that relays data and commands between the aerocraft (16) and Earth. The support and deployment module (14) secures the probes (16) and is interposed between the spacecraft (12) and the launch vehicle (11). The support and deployment module (14) passes all structural loads due to the added mass of the aerocraft (16) directly to the launch vehicle (11), which is designed (nominally) for the total launch mass, and does not impose any structural loads on the satellite (12). The structural loads on the satellite (12) are essentially the same as if the satellite (12) was launched by itself with no added structure attached thereto. Therefore, existing spin-stabilized satellites (12) may be readily adapted as probe carriers with no structural redesign. In proximity to the planet (19), the spin axis of the spacecraft (12) is oriented at a predetermined location on the surface of the planet (19), and multiple probes (16) are deployed from the deployment module (14) so that they will land at selected locations on the surface of the planet (19). Thereafter, the deployment module (14) is jettisoned along a trajectory that will miss the planet (19), and a retrograde rocket is fired to inject the spacecraft (12) into orbit around the planet (19). In this orbit, the spacecraft acts as a communication relay station between the scientific instruments on the surface of the planet (19) and Earth. The present invention may use two spacecraft that each have a support and deployment module (14) that each carry a plurality of probes (16) containing scientific instruments, and that may each serve as the orbiting communication relay for all of the scientific instruments carried by both spacecraft. While both spacecraft may be launched using a single launch vehicle (11), the preferred embodiment is to launch each spacecraft on a separate launch vehicle (11), several days apart. This allows the use of two smaller, less expensive launch vehicles, rather than one larger more expensive launch vehicle (11), and provides a greater margin for success, and allows re-use of the same launch crews and technical personnel to prepare and launch both spacecraft.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for deploying multiple probes, said system comprising:a spin stabilized communications satellite having a spin axis;probe carrying means coupled to the satellite having an axis that is generally aligned with the spin axis of the satellite;a plurality of probes di

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for deploying multiple probes, said system comprising:a spin stabilized communications satellite having a spin axis;probe carrying means coupled to the satellite having an axis that is generally aligned with the spin axis of the satellite;a plurality of probes disposed on the probe carrying means that are disposed around the spin axis of the satellite, and wherein symmetrically disposed probes have substantially the same mass;targeting means for orienting the spin axis of the satellite in a predetermined direction;deployment means for simultaneously deploying a selected number of probes from the satellite, such that the satellite remains dynamically balanced after deployment, wherein the deployment means simultaneously deploys a selected pair of probes along opposite flight paths from the satellite; andcommunication means disposed on the communication satellite for providing communications between an Earth station and each of the plurality of probes subsequent to deployment,wherein the satellite is caused to cruise toward a selected planet, and wherein at a predetermined location relative to the planet, the deployment means simultaneously deploys a selected pair of probes along opposite flight paths from the satellite toward the planet, which probes land at predetermined locations on the planet, and wherein the satellite further comprises means for injecting the satellite into a predetermined orbit around the planet.