Patent ID: 6299106
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: B64G,F16B,F16L

Abstract:
A thermally insulated spacecraft comprising:a skin external to the spacecraft;a plurality of studs affixed to said skin;an insulating blanket for positioning over at least a portion of said skin, said blanket including:a frame member forming a shape having a plurality of corners;ceramic fiber batting supported by said frame;ceramic fabric cover sewn over said ceramic fiber batting;a mounting flange positioned in each of said plurality of corners of said frame member; anda snap fastener seated in each mounting flange for coupling said insulating blanket to said plurality of studs, said snap fastener having:a base intersecting said mounting flange, said base including a barrel having a length perpendicular to said frame member wherein said barrel has at least two orifices in a plane orthogonal to a radial axis of said barrel;a plurality of balls, each sized to fit a respective one of said at least two orifices;a fastener for holding a first end of the base onto said mounting flange;a cap positioned adjacent a second end of said base;a spring positioned between said cap and said second end, opposite of said first end, of said base; anda collar press fit into a lower portion of the cap to limit the movement of said cap from said base.