Abstract: A launch system is provided which includes a secondary payload. The secondary payload includes a propellant tank and at least one module that is supported by an adapter ring that is commonly used to secure an upper stage to a primary payload. The propellant tank is launched empty and subsequently filled with residual propellant from the upper stage.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 12, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 12, 2013
Assignee:
United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
Inventors:
Bernard Friedrich Kutter, Jonathan D. Barr, Mari E. Gravlee, Gerard P. Szatkowski, Frank C. Zegler
Abstract: A cryogenic propellant depot and sunshield are provided for operation in earth orbit to fuel or refuel other space vehicles. The sunshield is deployed to effectively mitigate solar radiation emanating from the earth and the sun thereby providing a long term storage solution for cryogenic fluids prone to boil-off. The depot has supporting subsystems to include station keeping equipment and communication equipment so that the depot can be independently controlled. Inflatable booms are used to deploy the sunshield in a desired pattern around the depot.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2011
Date of Patent:
June 12, 2012
Assignee:
United Launch Alliance, LLC
Inventors:
Bernard Friedrich Kutter, Frank Charles Zegler, Mohamed R. Ragab
Abstract: A cryogenic propellant depot and sunshield are provided for operation in earth orbit to fuel or refuel other space vehicles. The sunshield is deployed to effectively mitigate solar radiation emanating from the earth and the sun thereby providing a long term storage solution for cryogenic fluids prone to boil-off. The depot has supporting subsystems to include station keeping equipment and communication equipment so that the depot can be independently controlled. Inflatable booms are used to deploy the sunshield in a desired pattern around the depot.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2011
Date of Patent:
June 12, 2012
Assignee:
United Launch Alliance, LLC
Inventors:
Bernard Friedrich Kutter, Frank Charles Zegler, Cliff E. Willey, John K. Lin, Mohamed M. Ragab, Michael W. Dew