A non-geostationary satellite system and method for weather and climate monitoring, communications applications, scientific research, and similar tasks. The satellite system provides global coverage using a constellation of six satellites in two orthogonal, 24 sidereal hour orbits (geosynchronous) with inclinations of 70 to 90, and eccentricities of 0.275-0.45. By placing three of the satellites in a first orbit with an apogee over the north pole, and three of the satellites in a second, orthogonal orbit with an apogee over the south pole, global coverage may be obtained. As well, the satellites in these orbits avoid most of the Van Allen Belts.

An ejection method (100) for ejecting at least one payload such as a satellite. The ejection method includes a step (108) of ejecting the payload from a spacecraft that is driven by a continuous propulsion force when the satellite is ejected.

The invention relates to a method for the safe release of artificial satellite in Earth orbit comprising providing an orbital transport spacecraft (1) able to move at orbital height and comprising a plurality of PODs (11) for releasing satellites (12) transported by the orbital transport spacecraft (1), housing said orbital transport spacecraft (1) in a space launcher (100) configured to reach an orbital height; generating a release signal and transmitting it to the orbital transport spacecraft (1) to release the orbital transport spacecraft (1) from the space launcher (100), in case of failure to release the orbital transport spacecraft (1) or in case of breakdown of the orbital transport spacecraft (1) after releasing from the space launcher (100), activating a safety subsystem (21) of the orbital transport spacecraft (1) to generate a POD (11) activation sequence to release the satellites (12).

The invention concerns a satellite deployment system (30) for launch vehicles. Said satellite deployment system (30) comprises an outer dispenser (31) that is fitted, externally, with first releasable attachment means for releasably attaching first satellites (81) to said outer dispenser (31) and, internally, with an internal housing volume (310). Moreover, the satellite deployment system (30) further comprises at least an inner dispenser (32,33) that is externally fitted with second releasable attachment means for releasably attaching second satellites (82,83) to said inner dispenser (32,33), and that is accommodated in the internal housing volume (310) of the outer dispenser (31).

A method and apparatus for deploying satellites is disclosed a satellite deployment mechanism includes an enclosure having at least one door, a lift table implemented therein, and a spring arranged to apply force to the lift table. A mounting system is arranged to allow for the satellite deployment mechanism to be mounted to a portion of a spacecraft. Responsive to opening the at least one door, the spring may cause the lift table to eject one or more satellites from the enclosure.

In one embodiment, an apparatus is attached to a feature to be deployed on a satellite. The apparatus includes a first material having an impedance, a second material coupled to the first material configured to provide a current or voltage to the first material causing the first material to generate heat based on the impedance after a launch process of a launch vehicle carrying the satellite has completed, and a third material configured to change state at a transition temperature. A release mechanism is coupled to the third material and holds the feature in an undeployed position on the satellite. The heat generated by the second material causes the third material to change state when the transition temperature range is reached and the release mechanism is released from the third material when the third material is in the second state to deploy the feature.

Methods and apparatus to methods and apparatus for performing propulsion operations using electric propulsion system are disclosed. An example launch vehicle includes a first space vehicle including a first core structure and a first electric propulsion system, and a second space vehicle including a second core structure and a second electric propulsion system, the second core structure releasably attached to the first space vehicle in a stacked configuration.

A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites in orbits such as highly inclined eccentric geosynchronous orbits and low earth orbits. To place satellites in inclined eccentric geosynchronous orbits, a series of launch vehicles may be launched. Each launch vehicle may be used to place a set of satellites, such as a set of three satellites, into a common orbital plane with distinct longitude of ascending node values. To place satellites in low earth orbits, a series of launch vehicles may be launched, each of which releases satellites in sequence from a stack of satellites into a common orbital plane. After desired separations have been produced between the released satellites, circularization procedures may be performed using the propulsion systems of the satellites to place the satellites into final orbit.

The disclosure provides a configurable-mass rideshare dispenser for a rideshare adapter employable with a LV. In one example, the configurable-mass rideshare dispenser includes: (1) a modular chassis having a plurality of walls, wherein each of the plurality of walls includes multiple internal mounts operable to mount at multiple candidate locations a rideshare payload, its associated attachment/deployment mechanisms, signal processing circuitry, and at least one additional mass object, and (2) at least one door coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls, wherein the signal processing circuitry is operable to provide deployment sequencing that operates the at least one door.

Spacecraft with increased cargo capacities, and associated systems and methods are disclosed, A representative spacecraft system includes a launch vehicle elongated along a launch vehicle axis and having at least one stage carrying a corresponding rocket engine. The representative system further includes an annular support structure carried by the at least one stage and positioned to support a cargo spacecraft having a service module and a cargo module. The cargo module of the cargo spacecraft is positioned along the launch vehicle axis in a direction distal from the support structure, and at least a portion of the service module of the cargo spacecraft positioned within an annulus of the support structure