Spacecraft adapter having embedded resources, and methods of forming same
A spacecraft adapter having embedded resources for supporting a non-primary payload on a launch vehicle. The spacecraft adapter includes a battery, a power distribution and control system, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the non-primary payload. Other modules/subsystems such as data storage, sensor and data interface and communications may be included to suit the needs of a particular non-primary payload and/or particular mission of the non-primary payload. The adaptor does not require any interfacing with the bus of the primary payload and can be scaled/modified as needed to provide only that degree of functionality needed for a given non-primary payload being carried by the launch vehicle.
1. A modular, embedded resources adaptor for use on a launch platform, independent of a spacecraft bus carried by the launch platform, comprising;
a housing fixedly secured to the launch platform, the housing be configured to enable physical coupling to a non-primary payload, so as to support the non-primary payload therefrom;
a power source housed within the housing;
a power distribution and control subsystem in communication with said power sources, and being housed within the housing; and
at least one interface module contained within said housing for interfacing with the non-primary payload supported on the launch vehicle; and wherein said power source, said power distribution and control sub-system and said interface module operate completely independently from said spacecraft bus.
2. The adaptor of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the group including:
a data storage subsystem;
a communication subsystem; and
a data interface.
3. The adaptor of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor interface for interfacing directly with a sensor carried by said non-primary payload.
4. The adaptor of claim 1 , wherein said power source comprises at least one of a fuel cell, battery or battery pack.
5. A modular, embedded resources adaptor for use on a space craft launch platform, independent of a spacecraft bus carried by the launch platform, comprising:
a housing fixedly secured to said launch platform;
a power source disposed within said housing;
a power distribution and control subsystem disposed within said housing and in communication with said power source;
a data storage module disposed within said housing; and
an interface module in communication with said power distribution and control and housed within said for interfacing with a non-primary payload being carried by said launch vehicle; and wherein said power source, said power distribution and control sub-system and said interface module operate completely independently from said spacecraft bus.
6. The adaptor of claim 5 , further comprising a communication subsystem disposed within said housing and interfaced with said data storage module.
7. The adaptor of claim 5 , further comprising a sensor and data interface housed within said housing and interfaced with said power distribution and control subsystem.
8. The adaptor of claim 7 , wherein the sensor and data interface is interfaced with the data storage subsystem.
9. The adaptor of claim 5 , further comprising a communications device for coupling said interface module with said non-primary payload.
10. The adaptor of claim 5 , wherein said housing includes a plurality of holes for enabling a non-primary payload to be fixedly secured by a plurality of fastening elements to an outer surface of the housing.
11. A modular spacecraft adaptor for use on a spacecraft launch vehicle independent of a spacecraft bus of the launch vehicle, the adaptor comprising:
a housing adapted to be fixedly secured to the launch vehicle;
a power source disposed in said housing;
a power and control distribution subsystem housed within said housing and in communication with said power source;
an interface module disposed adjacent said housing for interfacing with said power distribution and control subsystem, and also with a non-primary payload;
a communications module housed adjacent said housing; and wherein said power source, said power distribution and control sub-system and said interface module operate completely independently from said spacecraft bus.
12. The adaptor of claim 11 , further comprising a data storage module disposed adjacent said housing.
13. The adaptor of claim 11 , further comprising a sensor and data interface supported adjacent said housing for interfacing with an external sensor carried by said launch vehicle.
14. The adaptor of claim 11 , further comprising a communications device for electrically coupling said interface module with said non-primary payload.
15. The adaptor of claim 11 , wherein said housing includes a support panel having an opening to allow interfacing of said non-primary payload with components housed within said adaptor.
16. The adaptor of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of holes formed in said support panel for enabling attachment of said non-primary payload to said support panel.