Stackable satellite structure and deployment method

Abstract

An apparatus includes a satellite in the form of a plate having a thickness being smaller than a width of the satellite. The apparatus also includes a plurality of contact points distributed on a face of the satellite, allowing for one or more additional satellites to be stacked upon the satellite.

1 . A satellite, comprising:
 a plurality of stackable plates arranged in a stack, wherein   each of the plurality of stackable plate are connected by a plurality of hinges, and   the plurality of hinges are configured to unfold each of the plurality of stackable plates to form the satellite upon deployment in space.   
     
     
         2 . The satellite of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of hinges are placed along an edge of each of the plurality of stackable plates. 
     
     
         3 . The satellite of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of stackable plates are stacked alternately faced up and faced down, and
 the plurality of hinges are mounted such that, after deployment, half of the plurality of hinges are on the top of the satellite and remaining half of the plurality of hinges are on the bottom of the satellite.   
     
     
         4 . The satellite of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of stackable plates have a hinged connection to one of the plurality of stackable plates above and to another one of the plurality of stackable plates below. 
     
     
         5 . The satellite of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a top plate in the plurality of stackable plates and a bottom plate in the plurality of stackable plates have one hinge each.