Spacecraft equipment inertial platform protection - has rigid clamping that may be separated when in orbit to resume gimbal operation

摘要

In order to protect the gimbal mounted components of an inertial platform from the high 'g' forces during lift-off a technique is used to rigidly constrain the platform relative to a fixed base. Vertical strips of rigid material have a lip at the top edge that locates in a groove in the platform similarly at the bottom end of the strip a lip locates in a groove in the base plate. A wire band securely holds the strips to the platform to act as a rigid box structure. Once the spacecraft is in orbit the rigid structure can be dispensed with to allow the stabilising function. The retaining wire is of a fusable material that can be melted by applying low electrical power after which coil springs pull the rigid strips clear of the platform.