Unibody Pressurized Composite Structure

Microcosm, in collaboration with Scorpius Space Launch Company (SSLC), has developed a unique, low-cost, low-mass, high-utility combined structure/propellant tank for smallsats. The unibody pressurized composite spacecraft structure acts as one unified structure that integrates the propellant tank and does not require additional support elements of any kind, yet still allows easy installation of various payloads and bus subsystems. A representative structure is shown in Fig. 1 that shows the propellant tank, thrusters, and CubeSat channels to accommodate a payload and bus subsystems, and a candidate solar panel configuration. Key features of the UPCS are: 1) Provides excellent strength, stiffness, and robustness. The proposed structure is both stronger and stiffer than a traditional metal structure; 2) Has low thermal sensitivity. Composite materials have very low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) relative to metal structures and tanks; 3) This design eliminates the need for secondary structures (parasitic weight).