Space vehicle with customizable payload and docking station

Patent · Tue Apr 20 04:00:00 EDT 2021

OSTI ID:1823862

Judd, Stephen; Dallmann, Nicholas; McCabe, Kevin; Seitz, Daniel

A “black box” space vehicle solution may allow a payload developer to define the mission space and provide mission hardware within a predetermined volume and with predetermined connectivity. Components such as the power module, radios and boards, attitude determination and control system (ADCS), command and data handling (C&DH), etc. may all be provided as part of a “stock” (i.e., core) space vehicle. The payload provided by the payload developer may be plugged into the space vehicle payload section, tested, and launched without custom development of core space vehicle components by the payload developer. A docking station may facilitate convenient development and testing of the space vehicle while reducing handling thereof.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC (Los Alamos, NM)
• Patent Number(s): 10,981,677
• Application Number: 15/872,630
• OSTI ID: 1823862
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English