Abstract: A spacecraft is disclosed which comprises a spacecraft body, at least one solar array extendible outwardly from the spacecraft body, and articulation means for adjusting the position of the solar array relative to the spacecraft body independently about three axes, each of which is orthogonal to the axis adjacent to it. Each articulation means comprises a first rotatable coupling for permitting rotation of the solar array about a first axis substantially parallel to the surface of the spacecraft body, a second rotatable coupling for permitting rotation of the solar array about a second axis normal to the first axis, and a third rotatable coupling for permitting rotation of the solar array about a third axis normal to the second axis and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the array.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 20, 1985
Date of Patent:
May 31, 1988
Assignee:
Space Industries, Inc.
Inventors:
Caldwell C. Johnson, Maxime A. Faget, David J. Bergeron, III