Abstract: A periodical processing time band during which communication is periodically conducted between a plurality of communication terminals and a data bus control apparatus and a non-periodical processing time band during which communication is non-periodically conducted between the above-described plurality of communication terminals and the above-described data bus control apparatus are independently provided, and communication terminals for conducting communication with priority during each non-periodical processing time band are determined in advance.

Abstract: A sample collecting apparatus of a space craft capable of collecting samples securely by collecting them through a single step by using a small size, light weight and simple structure device. The sample collecting apparatus of the space craft includes a canister having a hollow container installed vertically and movably to the space craft, a drill having a spiral shaped groove on an external circumference thereof which passes vertically through a bottom surface of the canister and is protruded and retracted therethrough, while rotating; and a support member for installing the canister and the drill to the space craft so that they can be vertically moved. Expansion and retraction of the support member and rotation and vertical movement of the drill are conducted by a single driving means.

Abstract: A satellite capturing/tracking apparatus including: an antenna drive unit for driving an antenna in such a manner that said antenna is directed to a direction along which electromagnetic waves are transmitted from either a data relay satellite or a space station in response to a capturing/tracking command; an orbit/position detecting unit for receiving clock signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites to calculate and output the present orbit and position of said apparatus as orbit/position information; a first storage unit for previously storing therein a capturing/tracking sequence program with relative time instants, produced by an azimuth angle and an elevation angle of either said data relay satellite or said space station; a second storage unit for storing therein data used to define a relationship between said azimuth angle, said elevation angle, and the orbit/position of said apparatus with respect to either said data relay satellite or said space station; and a capturing/tracking control u

Abstract: An object-transporting apparatus and method is provided for moving an object in a zero-gravity environment without the use of a latch handle or sprayed pressurized air. The object to be transported includes a first joinable element which mates with a second joinable element attached to a transport means such as a slide table, which is moved by a transport mechanism, using the mated joinable elements.

Abstract: In each module (11) of three or more central processor modules of a fault tolerant computer system, a detector (45) receives a comparator output signal and like comparator output signals from two adjacent modules and produces a detector output signal which confirms absence and presence of a fault in one of the above-mentioned each module. When the fault is confirmed, a controller or processor (49) isolates the module under consideration from the system by inhibiting delivery of a controlled output signal to a bus (31) and by connecting, with the module in question bypassed, switching units (53(1), 53(2)) of the adjacent modules. Preferably, one of the modules of the system is used as a master module of ordinarily delivering the controlled output signal to the bus with others used as checker modules of ordinarily inhibiting the delivery.