Multiple body handling operations on the space shuttle

Claim 1

A method of exchanging payload modules on a satellite comprising a control module and a detachable payload module using one RMS on the space shuttle orbiter where said payload module performs essentially all of the payload functions of the satellite and includes trunnions thereon which mate directly with releasable latches located on the longerons of the cargo bay and said control module includes the nonpayload equipment such as the solar arrays, power bus, attitude and position sensors and satellite control equipment comprising the steps of: (a) maneuvering said orbiter containing a new payload module near said satellite, (b) using the RMS, capturing the satellite containing the used payload module and positioning it in the bay of said orbiter with the trunnions of the used payload module in said latches on the longerons of the cargo bay and closing the latches to secure the satellite, (c) removing the control module from the used payload module using the RMS and placing the control module on the new payload module, (d) attaching the control module to the new payload module, and (e) deploying the satellite comprising the control module and the new payload module in space away from said orbiter.

Claim 2

A method of exchanging payload modules on a satellite comprising a control module and a detachable payload module using one RMS on the space shuttle orbiter where said payload module performs essentially all of the payload functions of the satellite and includes trunnions thereon which mate directly with releasable latches located on the longerons of the cargo bay and said control module includes the nonpayload equipment such as the solar arrays, power bus, attitude and position sensors and satellite control equipment comprising the steps of: (a) maneuvering said orbiter containing a new payload module near said satellite, (b) using the RMS, capturing the satellite containing the used payload module and positioning it in the bay of said orbiter with the trunnions of the used payload module in said latches on the longerons of the cargo bay and closing the latches to secure the satellite, (c) removing the control module from the used payload module using the RMS and placing the control module on the new payload module, (d) attaching the control module to the new payload module, and (e) deploying the satellite comprising the control module and the new payload module in space away from said orbiter.

Claim 7

A method of exchanging payload modules on a satellite comprising a control module and a detachable payload module using one RMS on the space shuttle orbiter where said payload module performs essentially all of the payload functions of the satellite and includes trunnions thereon which mate directly with standard releasable latches located on the top longerons of the cargo bay and said control modules includes the nonpayload equipment including solar arrays, power bus, and attitude sensors comprising the steps of: maneuvering said orbiter containing a new payload module near the dual module satellite, using the RMS rotating the new payload about a pair of said trunnions within a pair of said latches so that the control module attachment end faces away from the orbiter bay and generally toward the satellite, capturing the dual module satellite including the control module and the used payload module with the RMS and positioning the satellite by the RMS into said orbiter cargo bay adjacent said new payload with the control module facing in the same direction as the new payload module attachment end with the trunnions in said latches on the longerons of the cargo bay, latching said satellite in said bay at said used payload module, disconnecting said used payload module from said control module while the RMS is holding said control module, moving said control module using said RMS from the used payload module to said new payload module, attaching the control module on the new payload module, unlatching said new payload module from said cargo bay, and using said RMS deploying the satellite including the control module and the new payload module into space away from said orbiter.

Claim 8

A method of exchanging payload modules on a satellite comprising a control module and a detachable payload module using one RMS on the space shuttle orbiter where said payload module performs essentially all of the payload functions of the satellite and includes trunnions thereon which mate directly with standard releasable latches located on the top longerons of the cargo bay and said control modules includes the nonpayload equipment including solar arrays, power bus, and attitude sensors comprising the steps of: maneuvering said orbiter containing a new payload module near the dual module satellite, using the RMS rotating the new payload about a pair of said trunnions within a pair of said latches so that the control module attachment end faces away from the orbiter bay and generally toward the satellite, capturing the dual module satellite including the control module and the used payload module with the RMS and positioning the satellite by the RMS into said orbiter cargo bay adjacent said new payload with the control module facing in the same direction as the new payload module attachment end with the trunnions in said latches on the longerons of the cargo bay, latching said satellite in said bay at said used payload module, disconnecting said used payload module from said control module while the RMS is holding said control module, moving said control module using said RMS from the used payload module to said new payload module, attaching the control module on the new payload module, unlatching said new payload module from said cargo bay, and using said RMS deploying the satellite including the control module and the new payload module into space away from said orbiter.