Abstract: A stacking device for a space vehicle comprises a plurality of hold down and release mechanisms and is configured to hold, temporarily, n space appendages, n being an integer strictly greater than 2, on one and the same support of a space vehicle using hold down and release mechanisms. The stacking device is arranged such that several space appendages are held by one and the same hold down and release mechanism. An associated space vehicle comprising at least one such stacking device is also provided.

Abstract: A stacking device for a space vehicle comprises a plurality of hold down and release mechanisms and is configured to hold, temporarily, n space appendages, n being an integer strictly greater than 2, on one and the same support of a space vehicle using hold down and release mechanisms. The stacking device is arranged such that several space appendages are held by one and the same hold down and release mechanism. An associated space vehicle comprising at least one such stacking device is also provided.

Abstract: An antenna system is able to cover a geographical zone with two grids of spots with nested meshes, shifted one with respect to the other. The multi-beam system covers a geographical zone decomposed into a plurality of spots, the antennas each comprising an array of radiating elements able to receive and/or to transmit radioelectric signals, and being configured so as to cover, in reception and/or in transmission, the zone with two grids of spots, several spots of the first grid, generated by a first antenna, being positioned according to a first geometric pattern, so that points are situated substantially equidistantly from several adjacent spots, several spots of the second grid, that are generated by a second antenna, being positioned according to a second geometric pattern chosen as a function of the first geometric pattern, such that several spots of the second grid are centered on the points.

Abstract: An antenna system is able to cover a geographical zone with two grids of spots with nested meshes, shifted one with respect to the other. The multi-beam system covers a geographical zone decomposed into a plurality of spots, the antennas each comprising an array of radiating elements able to receive and/or to transmit radioelectric signals, and being configured so as to cover, in reception and/or in transmission, said zone with two grids of spots, several spots of the first grid, generated by a first antenna, being positioned according to a first geometric pattern, so that points are situated substantially equidistantly from several adjacent spots, several spots of the second grid, that are generated by a second antenna, being positioned according to a second geometric pattern chosen as a function of the first geometric pattern, such that several spots of the second grid are centred on the said points.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation, in particular in a vacuum, the material comprising at least one insulating plate of honeycomb material sandwiched between two aluminum- or gold-coated skins of low emissivity. In order to optimize thermal insulation, the diameter of the cells is at least twice their height. The multilayer material may have as many layers as needed. The cells of adjacent layers may be offset in order to further minimize paths for heat conduction through the structure. Holes may be pierced in the side walls of the cells in order to allow them to empty out when the material is put into a vacuum. The invention also provides a method of making such a material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rigid multilayer material for thermal insulation, in particular in a vacuum, the material comprising at least one insulating plate of honeycomb material sandwiched between two aluminum- or gold-coated skins of low emissivity. In order to optimize thermal insulation, the diameter of the cells is at least twice their height. The multilayer material may have as many layers as needed. The cells of adjacent layers may be offset in order to further minimize paths for heat conduction through the structure. Holes may be pierced in the side walls of the cells in order to allow them to empty out when the material is put into a vacuum. The invention also provides a method of making such a material.

Abstract: A structure for reducing shock transmitted from a source (6) to an equipment unit (7) in a hardware system, which structure includes a honeycomb cellular support member (2, 3, 4 or 5) carrying the equipment unit to be protected from shock and/or the source. At least some of the honeycomb cells are filled with rigid microgranules whose dimensional characteristics are preferably heterogeneous, within given limits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a geosynchronous satellite including antenna means for communicating with an area (34) of the terrestrial surface.