Patent ID: 9376222
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: B64G

Claim Text:
1. A method for controlling the temperature of satlet electronics comprising the steps of: providing a spacecraft including at least a first satlet having a mechanical and fluid connection to a second satlet, each of the first and second satlets including a fuel tank storing a propellant, heat producing electronics which are thermally coupled to the satlet's fuel tank, and one or more temperature sensors for determining the temperature of the satlet's electronics and propellant; providing a controller connected to the temperature sensors for selectively transferring propellant between the first satlet's fuel tank and second satlet's fuel tank; determining that the temperature of the first satlet's electronics is reaching, has reached, or exceeds a predetermined threshold; determining that the temperature of the second satlet's propellant is lower than the temperature of the first satlet's electronics; and directing the flow of propellant from the second satlet's fuel tank to the first satlet's fuel tank to cool the first satlet's electronics.