A satellite dispenser door assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser door assembly as disclosed herein includes a dispenser door having a hinge pin; and a one way clutch bearing within which the hinge pin is free to rotate in a first rotational direction associated with a transition from a closed position of the dispenser door to an open position of the dispenser door.

A satellite dispenser is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity configured to receive a payload; and a composite guide rail comprising a groove configured to receive at least a portion of a payload, the composite guide rail having an orientation that substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the groove with an ejection axis of the dispenser.

A satellite dispenser and method of using same are disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity to accommodate a payload; and a plurality of externally adjustable restraints positioned within the interior cavity and configured to be extended further into the interior cavity by actuation of a manual interface external to the interior cavity.

Disclosed is a device for controlled separation of a first so-called stationary part and a second so-called mobile part, the stationary part having a stationary connecting surface opposite a mobile connecting surface of the mobile part, the stationary part having a different thermal expansion coefficient from that of the mobile part, the separation device including: at least one connecting agent arranged in a layer between the stationary connecting surface and the mobile connecting surface, at least one device for heating at least one of the stationary part and the mobile part, and at least one system for controlling the heating device.

A separating device including a release ring able to slide along a segmented nut, the release ring being configured to move between a first position wherein the segments of the nut are retained around a fastening screw and a second position wherein the segments of the nut are released, said device being characterized in that the release ring is moreover configured to travel a determined distance between the second position and a third position wherein said ring is in contact with a damping element located between said ring and an annular shutter, the release ring not being in contact with the damping element between the second position and the third position.

A release system may include a space vehicle separation plate operably coupled to a space vehicle, a launch vehicle adaptor plate operably coupled to a launch vehicle capable of carrying the space vehicle into space or into a ballistic (non-orbital) trajectory for release of the space vehicle from the launch vehicle, an actuator release mechanism assembly and a biasing element assembly. The actuator release mechanism assembly may be configured to separably couple the space vehicle separation plate to the launch vehicle adaptor plate. The biasing element assembly may be configured to provide a configurable force in a first direction normal to a surface of the launch vehicle adaptor plate to separate the space vehicle separation plate from the launch vehicle adaptor plate when the actuator-release mechanism assembly is triggered to release the space vehicle separation plate from the launch vehicle adaptor plate.

A satellite deployer spring mechanism includes a satellite deployer enclosure for containing an associated column of hinged spring element sets. A pair of identically-sized leaf springs each including a sheet of curved metal formed into an approximately rhomboidal shape with opposing acute angles trimmed to form opposing parallel sides. The identically-sized leaf springs are pivotally hinged at the opposing parallel sides to form a compressible and opposing pair of leaf springs as a compressible elliptical leaf spring pair. Each of the identically-sized leaf springs further includes an alignment aperture at the center of the approximately rhomboidal shape for receiving a retention screw, such that the compressible elliptical leaf spring pair may receive a retention screw, thereby forming the hinged leaf spring assembly in a compressed state prior to deployment.

Provided herein are various improvements to satellite or payload deployment systems and equipment. In one example, a satellite deployment apparatus is provided. The satellite deployment apparatus includes opposing retention members configured to engage protrusions of a satellite and hold the satellite with respect to a baseplate. The satellite deployment apparatus includes at least one pusher element configured to preload a deployment force on the satellite against the opposing retention members when the protrusions of the satellite are captive in the opposing retention members, and a deployment mechanism configured to spread the opposing retention members responsive to triggering by an actuator system and release the protrusions of the satellite for deployment of the satellite away from the baseplate using at least the deployment force.

In an example, a spacecraft system includes a plurality of spacecraft in a stack. The stack has one or more layers, each layer includes at least two spacecraft, and each spacecraft is releasably coupled to one or more adjacent spacecraft in the stack. The spacecraft system also includes a controller configured to, for each layer, (i) cause the layer to release from the stack, and (ii) after the layer releases from the stack, cause the at least two spacecraft in the layer to release from each other.

Separation device assemblies are provided. The assemblies include a plurality of first segment elements, each first segment element having an attachment portion and a frangible portion, the attachment portion of the first segment elements is arranged to fixedly connect to a first structural component and at least one second segment element having an attachment portion and a securing portion, wherein the attachment portion of the at least one second segment element is arranged to fixedly connect to a second structural component. At least two of the plurality of first segment elements are attached to the at least one second segment element adjacent to each other and a first segment joint is formed between adjacent first segment elements. An expansion device cavity is formed between the attached first and second segment elements.