Inventors:
Eugene R. Ganssle - Skillman NJ
Assignee:
RCA Corporation - New York NY
International Classification:
B64G 164
Abstract:
A spacecraft is secured to a reusable cradle mounted in a space shuttle cargo bay. It is launched from the shuttle by separation apparatus secured to the cradle, which apparatus imparts forces in the same direction to three spaced points on the spacecraft such that a line passing through the center of gravity of the spacecraft, extending in the direction of application of the forces, passes through the triangle formed by lines joining these three points. The apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected spring loaded push rods which propel the spacecraft equal distances in the same direction and time interval, thereby precluding any rotation.