Abstract: An apparatus includes a primary device, a secondary device, and an umbilical system. The umbilical system comprises an umbilical linking the primary device and the secondary device, and a control system configured alter a directionality of the umbilical during deployment of the secondary device away from the primary device by at least controlling a configuration of a shape memory material comprising the umbilical.

Abstract: A spacecraft system and method includes a platform with a dock and an umbilical payout device. A robot is connected to an umbilical paid out by the umbilical payout device and is repeatedly deployable from the dock. The robot includes one or more imagers, an inertial measurement unit, and a plurality of thrusters. A command module receives image data from the one or more robot imagers and orientation data from the inertial measurement unit. An object recognition module is configured to recognize one or more objects from the received image data. The command module determines the robot's orientation with respect to an object and issues thruster control commands to control movement of the robot based on the robot's orientation. The combination of the space platform and robot on umbilical line can be used for towing another object to different orbital location, inspection including self-inspection of the robot carrying platform and for robotic servicing.

Abstract: An ion electrospray device with a porous reservoir and at least one porous emitter includes a porous compliant interface sandwiched between the porous reservoir and the porous emitter for transferring fluid from the porous reservoir to the porous emitter. The interface has a characteristic capillary pressure stronger than the characteristic capillary pressure of the porous reservoir to fill the porous emitter with fluid via a fluid injection section of the interface and before the porous reservoir is then partially filled with fluid. Emitter leakage and propellant bridging problems are addressed.

Abstract: A thruster includes a reactor including bundled metal elongate members therein configured to disassociate an introduced propellant flowing between the members, a combustor for combusting products of the disassociation, and a nozzle downstream of the combustor.

Abstract: A thruster includes a reactor including bundled metal elongate members therein configured to disassociate an introduced propellant flowing between the members, a combustor for combusting products of the disassociation, and a nozzle downstream of the combustor.

Abstract: An autonomous method for minimizing the magnitude of plasma discharge current oscillations in a Hall effect plasma device includes iteratively measuring plasma discharge current oscillations of the plasma device and iteratively adjusting the magnet current delivered to the plasma device in response to measured plasma discharge current oscillations to reduce the magnitude of the plasma discharge current oscillations.

Abstract: An iodine fueled plasma generator system includes a plasma generator. At least one storage vessel is configured to store condensed phase iodine therein. A heating device proximate to the storage vessel is configured to create iodine vapor from the condensed phase iodine. A propellant management subsystem is configured to deliver the iodine vapor to the plasma generator. A feedback control subsystem is responsive to one or more of plasma generator discharge current, the pressure of the iodine vapor, and/or the temperature of the iodine vapor configured to regulate the flow rate of the iodine vapor to the plasma generator.

Abstract: A charge injected fluid assist liquid atomizer including a liquid delivery channel, a flow focusing member for generating a coaxial air stream to draw a slender jet from the liquid in the delivery channel toward an opposing orifice, an electrode in the channel submerged in the liquid, and a power source for applying a voltage between the electrode and channel to inject a charge into the liquid entrained in the focused flow of the jet and through the opposing orifice.

Abstract: An electrospray device includes an electrospray emitter adapted to receive electrospray fluid; an extractor plate spaced from the electrospray emitter and having at least one aperature; and a power supply for applying a first voltage between the extractor plate and emitter for generating at least one Taylor cone emission through the aperature to create an electrospray plume from the electrospray fluid, the extractor plate as well as accelerator and shaping plates may include a porous, conductive medium for transporting and storing excess, accumulated electrospray fluid away from the aperature.

Abstract: A tandem Hall field plasma accelerator with closed electron drift includes a magnetic circuit having an inner pole and an outer pole and a magnetic field source and a discharge cavity disposed axially in tandem; the discharge cavity including an axially extending accelerator section defining an exit aperture between the inner and outer poles and a plenum section extending radially outwardly and upstream of the accelerator section and including an anode and a propellant injector. Also disclosed is the use of an electromagnetic coil which provides a magnetic field in a magnetic circuit and includes a multiple turn winding wound on an electrically conductive bobbin. The plasma discharge is connected electrically in series with the electromagnetic coil and a power source with a bobbin defining a single turn secondary coil winding on the magnetic circuit which reduces magnetic field fluctuations in the plasma discharge and reduces eddy currents and consequent heating of the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: A Hall field plasma accelerator with closed electron drift includes a composite anode including a housing with inner and outer walls which form an outer anode and an inner anode forming inner and outer distribution zones; the housing is electrically conductive and has an upstream end and an exit port electrically insulated from the housing; the composite anode includes an input distribution system for introducing plasma gas into the distribution zones; poles establish a magnetic field across the exit port and a cathode establishes an electron flow through the magnetic field toward the composite anode and creates an electric field through the exit port; the electrons ionize the plasma gas that is accelerated by the electric field through the exit port.