초록 ▼

A spacecraft propulsion module (16) that includes an outer cylindrical housing (20), an end wall (22) and a specialized internal structure (50) that is capable of supporting various spacecraft components (110, 112, 124), to provide different levels of spacecraft complexity for different missions. Th

A spacecraft propulsion module (16) that includes an outer cylindrical housing (20), an end wall (22) and a specialized internal structure (50) that is capable of supporting various spacecraft components (110, 112, 124), to provide different levels of spacecraft complexity for different missions. The internal structure (50) within the housing (20) includes a plurality of inner walls (52-58) defining an "eggcrate" structure. The plurality of inner walls (52-58) includes a first pair of walls (52, 54), extending in one direction and a second pair of walls (56, 58) extending in a substantially orthogonal direction to define a center compartment (76) surrounded by a plurality of perimeter compartments (60-74). The inner walls (52-58) and the outer housing (20) define support surfaces on which can be mounted different spacecraft components, such as propellant tanks (110), pressurant tanks (168), life support tanks (126), control, guidance, navigation and communication avionics (124), batteries (112), etc. depending on the particular spacecraft design. The outer surface of the cylinder housing (20) and end wall (22) provide a significant amount of surface area for mounting engines (36) and thrusters (38) to give the module (16) free flying capability for both four and six degrees of freedom. The intersection of the inner walls (52-58) gives the spacecraft module (16) four inner mounting points (80-86) and the intersection of the inner walls (52-58) with the outer housing (20) gives the spacecraft eight outer mounting points (88-102). These mounting points (80-102) gives the spacecraft module versatility to attach different types of mounting adapters (42, 44, 46, 164) to connect other spacecraft modules to the propulsion module (16), such as crew modules, cargo modules, equipment modules, additional propulsion modules, etc.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]making a first spacecraft module, said step of making the first spacecraft module including the steps of:providing a first outer spacecraft housing, said first outer housing including a first housing cylinder and a first housing end wall;providing a first spacecraft interna

[What is claimed is:] [1.]making a first spacecraft module, said step of making the first spacecraft module including the steps of:providing a first outer spacecraft housing, said first outer housing including a first housing cylinder and a first housing end wall;providing a first spacecraft internal support structure within the first spacecraft housing, said first internal support structure including a plurality of inner compartment wall members defining a plurality of compartments, said plurality of compartments including a center compartment surrounded by perimeter compartments, wherein the step of providing a first spacecraft internal support structure includes providing a plurality of inner mounting locations defined by intersection points between the plurality of compartment wall members and a plurality of outer mounting locations defined by intersection points between the wall members and the housing cylinder;mounting a plurality of spacecraft components within the compartments in the first spacecraft housing; andattaching a spacecraft mounting device to a plurality of the inner mounting locations or the outer mounting locations.