Abstract: A space spider crane 15 is provided for the movement, placement, and/or assembly of various components on or in the vicinity of a space structure 120. Space spider crane 15 is comprised of a small central body 16 to which manipulators 24 and legs 25 are attached. The legs 25 are equipped with constant pressure gripping end effectors 29 to safely grip space structure 120. Walking by legs 25 or repairing and placing by the manipulators 24 may be controlled either by computer software 140 or a remotely situated human operator 135, who maintains visual contact with the space spider crane via television cameras 22 located at strategic positions on space spider crane 15. One possible walking program consists of a parallel motion walking program that results in small central body 16 alternatively leaning forward and backward relative to end effectors 29.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for protecting an in-air vehicle from damage due to the craft sustaining a lightning strike. It is an extremely simple device consisting of a sacrificial graphite composite rod 40, approximately the diameter of a pencil with a length of about five inches. The sacrificial rod 40 is constructed with the graphite fibers running axially within the rod in a manner that best provides a path of conduction axially from the trailing edge of an aircraft to the trailing end of the rod. Sacrificial rod 40 is inserted into an attachment hole 32, machined into trailing edges of aircraft flight surfaces, such as vertical fin cap 31, and attached with adhesive in a manner not prohibiting the conduction path between the rod 40 and aircraft 10. The trailing end of rod 40 may be tapered for aerodynamic and esthetic requirements. This rod is sacrificial but has the capability to sustain several lightning strikes and still provide protection.