Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure provide hybrid spacecraft capable of hosting both a remote sensing payload and a communications payload. A hybrid spacecraft includes an isolation system for a remote sensing payload that isolates the remote sensing payload from spacecraft dynamics and disturbances, and prevents interaction between the remote sensing and communications payloads. The hybrid spacecraft may also include provisions for a communications payload including metering structure for large aperture antennas, and scalable resources for accommodating a range of remote and communications payloads.

Abstract: The use of slabs having end faces cut at substantially the critical angle in three different embodiments of a slab laser provides benefits not possessed by conventional cylindrical active lasing mediums or by slab active lasing mediums having end faces cut at Brewster's angle.