초록 ▼

An active satellite dispenser is preferably attachable to a reusable launch vehicle for deployment of one or more satellites into one or more desired orbits. The active satellite dispenser includes a center mast that releasably receives the satellite(s), a liquid propellant rocket, and an orbital co

An active satellite dispenser is preferably attachable to a reusable launch vehicle for deployment of one or more satellites into one or more desired orbits. The active satellite dispenser includes a center mast that releasably receives the satellite(s), a liquid propellant rocket, and an orbital control system on an avionics pallet. In the preferred embodiment, a pressurized gas selectively pressurizes the propellant tanks (which may include fuel and oxidizer tanks), to provide propellant to the rocket. In operation, the launch vehicle releases the satellite dispenser in a first deployment orbit. The active dispenser rocket and orbital control system then transport the active dispenser and satellite(s) into the final deployment orbit. In the preferred embodiment the active dispenser can operate multiple times to place individual satellites in different orbits.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An active satellite dispenser for deploying at least one satellite in orbit, the active dispenser being attachable to a launch vehicle and disposed within a cylindrical payload module attached to the launch vehicle, the active dispenser comprising:an elongate center mast having a lower end and an

1. An active satellite dispenser for deploying at least one satellite in orbit, the active dispenser being attachable to a launch vehicle and disposed within a cylindrical payload module attached to the launch vehicle, the active dispenser comprising:an elongate center mast having a lower end and an upper end, and a longitudinally extending surface between the upper and lower ends the mast defining an interior volume, the mast further having a plurality of exterior connectors on the longitudinal surface adapted to engage the at least one satellite and thereby position the at least one satellite adjacent to the longitudinally extending surface;a rocket engine disposed at the lower end of the mast;at least one pressurized tank disposed in the interior volume of the mast;at least one propellant tank disposed adjacent the center mast, the propellant tank being selectively, fluidly connected to the pressurized tank such that the propellant tank can be pressurized, the propellant tank further being fluidly connected to the rocket engine; andan avionics pallet having an orbital control system, and that can selectively fluidly connect the pressurized tank to the propellant tank. 2. The active satellite dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an attitude control system including a plurality of attitude control thrusters. 3. The active satellite dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a clampband for releasably coupling the active satellite dispenser to the launch vehicle. 4. The active satellite dispenser of claim 1, wherein the payload module includes a payload dome that is openable in orbit. 5. The active satellite dispenser of claim 1, wherein the active dispenser is adapted to engage a plurality of satellites. 6. The active satellite dispenser of claim 2, wherein the rocket and the orbital control system are adapted to move the satellite dispenser from a first orbit to a second orbit, wherein the second orbit is a desired satellite deployment orbit. 7. The active satellite dispenser of claim 6, wherein the rocket and the orbital control system are adapted to further move the satellite dispenser from the second orbit to a third orbit, wherein the third orbit is also a desired satellite deployment orbit. 8. The active satellite dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one pressurized tank comprises a helium tank. 9. A method for deploying a plurality of satellites in orbit comprising:(a) releasably attaching the satellites releasably attaching the satellites via a connector on a longitudinally extending surface of a center mast portion of an active satellite dispenser having a liquid propellant engine and an orbital control system;(b) releasably attaching the active satellite dispenser to a launch vehicle such that the satellites are enclosed in a payload module;(c) using the launch vehicle to place the satellites in a payload deployment orbit;(d) releasing the active satellite dispenser from the launch vehicle;(e) using the active satellite dispenser rocket engine and orbital control system to move the satellites into an active dispenser deployment orbit; and(f) releasing at least one of the plurality of satellites from the active satellite dispenser. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:(g) using the active satellite dispenser rocket engine and orbital control system to move a satellite into a second active dispenser deployment orbit; and(h) releasing at least one of the plurality of satellites from the active satellite dispenser in the second active dispenser deployment orbit.