Deployable Space Vehicle Optical Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Space vehicles face constraints in compacting optical instruments due to size limitations during launch, requiring deployable structures that must be accurately deployed post-launch, which is challenging and often obstructs the optical system's field of view.
Innovation Solution
The space vehicle incorporates a control system within the optical system's interior cavity, using a folding mechanism to deploy outwardly, allowing the optical system to occupy a larger volume for improved performance without the need for precise optical element calibration, thus reducing the external volume and increasing optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical system is made larger to improve optical properties and resolution, then the optical performance is improved, but the volume available during launch is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The space vehicle is divided into separate deployable components including primary and secondary optical elements that can be stowed independently during launch and deployed to their operational positions in orbit, allowing the optical system to achieve large aperture while fitting within launch constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements and control systems are nested within the interior cavity of the optical system body during stowage, with the control system positioned within the free space between optical elements, enabling compact packaging that fits within the launch vehicle fairing while allowing deployment to full operational size
2Volume of moving object
If deployable structures are used to reduce launch volume, then the launch volume is reduced, but the deployment accuracy requirement increases to micrometers or less
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying optical elements outwardly as in conventional designs, the control system is deployed outwardly from the interior cavity while the optical elements remain fixed or deploy with much lower precision requirements, inverting the traditional deployment approach and reducing accuracy demands to millimeter or centimeter level
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is extracted from the conventional placement adjacent to the optical system and repositioned within the interior cavity of the optical system body, allowing it to be deployed outwardly without obstructing the optical path and without requiring micrometer-level deployment precision
3Ease of operation
If the control system is placed adjacent to the optical system, then the optical system can operate, but the external volume increases and launch constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is nested within the interior cavity of the optical system body, utilizing the free space between optical elements, thereby reducing the external volume of the space vehicle while maintaining full operational capability of both the optical system and control system when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is positioned in three-dimensional space within the interior cavity rather than adjacent to the optical system, utilizing the depth dimension created by the spaced optical elements to accommodate the control system without increasing the external footprint
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a space vehicle comprising an optical system having a field of view, the optical system comprising at least two optical elements spaced from one another along an optical axis of the optical system, thereby defining an interior cavity of the optical system; at least one control system, the control system comprising at least one physical element configured for performing one or more functions for enabling operation of the vehicle; and at least one holding assembly for holding the at least one control system, the holding assembly comprising a folding mechanism configured and operable to move between a folded position corresponding to an inoperative mode of the optical system, and a deployed position corresponding to an operative mode of the optical system, such that in the folded position of the folding mechanism, the control system that is held by the holding assembly is at least partially located in the interior cavity of the optical system for stowage, and in the deployed position of the folding mechanism, the control system that is held by the holding assembly is located outside the interior cavity and outside the field of view of the optical system, thereby allowing operation of the optical system.