Deployable Optical Assembly for Satellite Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Earth imaging satellites face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio due to their large size and limited light-collecting area, which increases costs and volume requirements, while CubeSats have restricted light-collecting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A deployable optical assembly for satellites with a frame comprising multiple CubeSat units, featuring a deployable optical system that expands outside the frame in orbit, increasing the light-collecting area by deploying primary and secondary mirrors, allowing for a larger aperture without increasing the satellite's volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a larger aperture is used to improve spatial resolution and light-collecting area, then imaging performance is improved, but satellite volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system transitions from a static compact configuration during launch to a dynamic deployed configuration in orbit. The primary and secondary mirrors are deployed after launch to achieve the larger aperture needed for high spatial resolution imaging, resolving the contradiction between launch volume constraints and operational imaging performance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension by deploying optical components outward from the satellite body into orbital space. This allows the light-collecting area to extend beyond the satellite's physical envelope, achieving large aperture imaging without proportionally increasing the satellite's launch volume
2Measurement precision
If a larger aperture is used to increase light-collecting area, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but satellite cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable optical system allows the satellite to achieve large aperture performance only when needed in orbit, while maintaining a compact, cost-effective launch configuration. This dynamic approach enables high signal-to-noise ratio imaging without requiring a permanently large and expensive satellite structure
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is divided into deployable segments (primary mirror segments and secondary mirror) that can be compactly stored during launch and then deployed to form a large aperture. This segmentation allows the satellite to achieve large light-collecting area performance without the full cost and complexity of a permanently large satellite bus
3Ease of manufacture
If a compact satellite design is used to reduce cost, then capital cost is reduced, but light-collecting area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by extending the light-collecting area into the external orbital environment rather than being constrained by the satellite's internal volume. The deployable mirrors extend outward from the compact satellite body, enabling large light-collecting area in a cost-effective small satellite platform
Solution Approach 2:
The optical assembly transitions from a compact stored state during launch to an extended deployed state in orbit. This dynamic transformation allows the satellite to maintain a small, cost-effective form factor while achieving large light-collecting area when operational requirements demand
4Measurement precision
If traditional Cassegrain telescope design is used to achieve large aperture, then spatial resolution is improved, but unused volume between mirrors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deployable Cassegrain configuration where the primary and secondary mirrors are positioned close together during launch (minimizing volume) and then deployed to their operational positions in orbit. This dynamic positioning eliminates the permanent unused volume problem of traditional fixed Cassegrain designs while maintaining the spatial resolution benefits of the large aperture configuration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the ground sample distance and signal-to-noise ratio while reducing capital costs by utilizing external volume for optical components, enabling better imaging performance with a smaller and more cost-effective satellite design.
Implementation Method 1
the optical assembly comprises a primary mirror and secondary mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A satellite with deployable optics is provided. The satellite has a frame, an optical axis, and a deployable optical system. The optical system has a mechanical aperture perpendicular to the optical axis, where light collected travels substantially parallel to the optical axis. The optical system has a stored configuration in which it remains within the frame and a deployed configuration in which it extends outside the frame. In some configurations, the light-collecting area of the deployed configuration is larger than the possible light-collecting area of the stored configuration. In a partially deployed configuration, all of the primary mirror segments remain substantially within the frame, and the light-collecting area is smaller than that in the deployed configuration. A method of using the satellite includes setting the satellite to the deployed configuration, detecting whether there is a deployment malfunction, and, if so, setting the satellite to a partially deployed configuration.