초록 ▼

A dispenser apparatus and method which includes a blended dispenser shell having a lower portion and a pair of integrally formed upper support portions defining two distinct support areas on which a pair of spacecrafts can be supported in a side-by-side configuration. The upper support portions are

A dispenser apparatus and method which includes a blended dispenser shell having a lower portion and a pair of integrally formed upper support portions defining two distinct support areas on which a pair of spacecrafts can be supported in a side-by-side configuration. The upper support portions are further disposed within an envelope defined by a lower edge of the lower portion of the dispenser shell. In one alternative embodiment a pair of adapter shells are disposed on the upper support portions to enable interfacing with a standardized interface ring of each spacecraft. The embodiments of the dispenser are each formed from a graphite epoxy material by conventional construction processes and significantly reduce the overall weight of the dispenser, as compared with dispensers which support a pair of spacecrafts in a vertical configuration. The dispenser of the present invention further reduces the overall cost associated with supporting a pair of spacecrafts and reduces the amount of orbital debris which would otherwise be produced with dispensers which support a pair of spacecrafts in a vertical configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A dispenser for supporting a pair of spacecrafts in a generally side-by-side configuration on a launch vehicle, the dispenser comprising:a dispenser shell having a lower portion and a pair of generally conical upper support portions, said conical upper support portions forming a pair of generally

1. A dispenser for supporting a pair of spacecrafts in a generally side-by-side configuration on a launch vehicle, the dispenser comprising:a dispenser shell having a lower portion and a pair of generally conical upper support portions, said conical upper support portions forming a pair of generally side-by-side, independent, conical supports for supporting a pair of independent spacecrafts thereon; and said lower portion of said dispenser shell being adapted to interface with said launch vehicle such that said dispenser shell supports said spacecrafts above said launch vehicle in a generally side-by-side configuration.