Patent ID: 6322023
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: B64G

Abstract:
A method of designing a spacecraft where the design evolves to different spacecraft having different intended space mission types, said method comprising the steps of:designing a first evolution spacecraft for one spacecraft mission, said first evolution spacecraft being a deorbit propulsion module, said step of designing a first spacecraft including the steps of:designing a first outer spacecraft housing, said first spacecraft housing including a housing cylinder and a housing end wall;designing an internal support structure within the first spacecraft housing, said internal support structure including a plurality of inner compartment wall members defining a plurality of compartments; anddesigning the orientation of a plurality of spacecraft components within the compartments in the first spacecraft housing, said step of designing the orientation of spacecraft components including the steps of establishing the position of at least one propellant tank within at least one of the compartments in the spacecraft housing and establishing the position of at least one avionics module within one of the compartments in the spacecraft housing; anddesigning a second evolution spacecraft based on the first evolution spacecraft for another spacecraft mission, said second evolution spacecraft being a crew transfer vehicle, said step of designing a second evolution spacecraft including using the internal support structure and including redesigning the orientation of spacecraft components by adding, exchanging and/or repositioning spacecraft components, wherein the other spacecraft mission is a different mission type and requires significant design differences and mission goals than the one spacecraft mission.