System, method, and bracket assembly for a stable and repeatable spacecraft platform structure

1 . A method of assembling a spacecraft platform structure comprising a plurality of platform panels, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of panel interconnect (PIC) bracket assemblies for connecting first and second adjacent platform panels, each PIC bracket assembly comprising:

a first bracket comprising a U-clip portion for receiving an edge of the first platform panel and a flange plate extending from the U-clip portion orthogonal to the edge when the edge is disposed in the U-clip portion;

a second bracket comprising a U-clip portion for receiving an edge of the second platform panel;

wherein the edge of the first platform panel and the edge of the second platform panel are orthogonal to one another in an assembled configuration of the spacecraft platform structure;

wherein the U-clip portions of the first and second brackets each include first and second bracket arms that attach to face sheets of the first and second platform panels, respectively; and

a bolted interface for connecting the flange plate of the first bracket to a portion of the second bracket disposed along the edge of the second platform panel;

supporting and aligning the first and second platform panels in a vertical configuration using three points of support;

installing the PIC bracket assemblies between the first and second platform panels, the installing including temporarily securing the PIC bracket assemblies in place without direct attachment to the first and second platform panels;

applying adhesive between the first and second bracket arms of the first and second brackets to bond the PIC bracket assemblies to the first and second platform panels;

co-drilling a subset of the PIC bracket assemblies to establish co-drilled holes that traverse the first and second bracket;

disassembling the bolted interfaces of PIC bracket assemblies to remove the first or second platform panel; and

reinstalling the first or second panel using an expansion pin in the co-drilled holes to return the first or second platform panel to its quasi OG shape.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the spacecraft platform structure is a spacecraft bus.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subset of the PIC bracket assemblies is at least two PIC bracket assemblies.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two brackets include the two outermost PIC bracket assemblies along the edges.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the two outermost PIC bracket assemblies are located at or near opposing ends of the edges of the first and second platform panels.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expansion pin has a smaller diameter than the co-drilled holes when unexpanded and the same diameter as the co-drilled holes once the expansion pin has expanded and realigns the co-drilled holes to be coaxial once expanded.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second brackets are arranged on the plurality of panels such that each panel of the plurality of panels does not have more than two orthogonal mounting planes defined by mounting interfaces of the first and second brackets on that panel.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising mounting a device configured for use in space to at least at least one of the PIC bracket assemblies via the bolted interface.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the device includes at least two supports, and wherein the two supports are mounted to different ones of the PIC bracket assemblies via their respective bolted interfaces.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second bracket arms include a plurality of holes, and wherein applying the adhesive includes injecting the adhesive through the plurality of holes.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the adhesive includes injecting the adhesive at multiple edges of each of the first and second bracket arms.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the flange plate is disposed such that an interface plane formed between the flange plate and the portion of the second bracket disposed along the edge of the second platform panel is at approximately a midline of a portion of the first bracket disposed along the edge of the first platform panel.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bolted interface is configured such that the first and second platform panels each have only a single interface plane in each axis.

14 . An apparatus comprising:

a spacecraft platform structure comprising:

a plurality of panels connected along their respective edges using a plurality of panel interconnect (PIC) bracket assemblies, wherein each PIC bracket assembly includes first and second brackets each bonded to panel face sheets along edges of adjacent panels, the first and second brackets secured together by fasteners;

wherein each bracket comprises a top side connected to two adjacent arms, and wherein each top side and arm has a thicker middle portion flanked by adjacent thinner portions.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein at least two PIC bracket assemblies per edge of the spacecraft platform structure have co-drilled holes for repeatable installation of the panels during assembly.

16 . A system for connecting first and second adjacent panels of a spacecraft platform, the system comprising:

a plurality of bracket assemblies for connecting the adjacent panels along first and second orthogonal edges, respectively, each bracket assembly comprising:

a first bracket mounted on the first orthogonal edge, the first bracket comprising first, second, and third sides defining a square U shaped recess for receiving the first orthogonal edge, the first and second sides being generally parallel to one another and extending in the same direction from opposing edges of the third side, the third side generally orthogonal to the first and second sides, the first bracket further comprising a flange plate generally orthogonal to and extending from the third side in a direction opposite the first and second sides, the flange plate disposed between the first side and the second side;

a second bracket mounted on the second orthogonal edge, the second bracket comprising first, second, and third sides defining a square U shaped recess for receiving the second orthogonal edge, the first and second sides being generally parallel to one another and extending in the same direction from opposing edges of the third side, the third side generally orthogonal to the first and second sides; and

at least one fastener for securing the flange plate to the third side of the second bracket;

wherein the first and second sides of the first bracket are bonded to top and bottom face sheets of the first adjacent panel and the first and second sides of the second bracket are bonded to top and bottom face sheets of the second adjacent panel.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first, second, and third sides have a thicker middle portion flanked by adjacent thinner portions.

18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the flange plate is disposed substantially at a midline of the first bracket between the first side and the second side.

19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the flange plate is disposed such that an interface plane formed between the flange plate and a portion of the second bracket disposed along the second orthogonal edge is at approximately a midline of a portion of the first bracket disposed along the first orthogonal edge.

20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the flange plate is disposed at a position that substantially aligns an interface plane formed between the flange plate and the third side of the second bracket with a neutral axis of the adjacent panels.