Patent ID: 6299105
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: B64G

Abstract:
A spacecraft comprising:a spacecraft body;a deployable structure coupled to said spacecraft body and operable between a stowed state and a deployed state with respect to said spacecraft body;a holding device coupled to said deployable structure and said spacecraft body, said deployable structure held in said stowed state by said holding device during a first operative phase, said holding device containing a non-adhesive material having a material strength, said non-adhesive material being responsive to a preselected environmental circumstance present during a second operative phase, said material strength weakening upon exposure to said preselected environmental circumstance such that the holding device lacks sufficient material strength to hold said deployable structure in said stowed state after being exposed to the preselected environmental circumstance for a preselected criterion; and,a deployment mechanism operative to deploy said deployable structure to said deployed state once said holding device lacks sufficient material strength to hold said deployable structure.