Abstract: A thermal-mechanical linear actuator can include a first stage comprising one of a positive coefficient of thermal expansion (“CTE”) material or a negative CTE material and a second stage comprising the other of the positive CTE material or the negative CTE material. The second stage can be at least partially inserted into the first stage. The actuator can further comprise a thermal isolator disposed between the first stage and the second stage to thermally isolate the first stage from the second stage. Heat inputs can be provided where the heat inputs can control the temperature of the first and second stages independently. A hyperbolic meta material can be wrapped or coated around the first stage.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an optical fiber module including an optical fiber having a first end, a second end, and a twisted portion between the first and second ends to enable the optical fiber to provide two orthogonal transverse bending degrees of freedom. The twisted portion induces an optical distortion. The module further includes a distortion compensation arrangement that is configured to at least partially compensate for the optical distortion and a housing that is configured to house at least a portion of the optical fiber including the twisted portion.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an optical fiber module including an optical fiber having a first end, a second end, and a twisted portion between the first and second ends to enable the optical fiber to provide two orthogonal transverse bending degrees of freedom. The twisted portion induces an optical distortion. The module further includes a distortion compensation arrangement that is configured to at least partially compensate for the optical distortion and a housing that is configured to house at least a portion of the optical fiber including the twisted portion.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an optical fiber module including an optical fiber having a first end, a second end, and a twisted portion between the first and second ends to enable the optical fiber to provide two orthogonal transverse bending degrees of freedom. The twisted portion induces an optical distortion. The module further includes a distortion compensation arrangement that is configured to at least partially compensate for the optical distortion and a housing that is configured to house at least a portion of the optical fiber including the twisted portion.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an optical fiber module including an optical fiber having a first end, a second end, and a twisted portion between the first and second ends to enable the optical fiber to provide two orthogonal transverse bending degrees of freedom. The twisted portion induces an optical distortion. The module further includes a distortion compensation arrangement that is configured to at least partially compensate for the optical distortion and a housing that is configured to house at least a portion of the optical fiber including the twisted portion.

Abstract: An improved satellite system that limits or eliminates the dynamical rotational response of a satellite body to solar array asymmetrical and symmetrical flexing. The improvement is made by rotating one of a pair of solar arrays to an angle relative to the other solar array along a satellite pitch axis. The solar arrays are then rotated to a position wherein a maximum surface area of solar panels located on the pair of solar arrays is exposed to direct sunlight. The improvement enhances the ability of the satellite to maintain high precision angular stability under operational disturbances without costly and complex structural stiffening solutions.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying a satellite appendage such as an umbrella-like antenna reflector structure is provided. The umbrella-like antenna reflector structure includes a plurality of rib members movable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. The deployment apparatus comprises a deployment tube and a central hub pivotally attached to the plurality of rib members and slidably attached to the deployment tube. The deployment tube is adapted to move along its major axis with respect to the central hub. The deployment apparatus further includes a flexible member connecting the central hub to the deployment tube and a mechanism for tensioning the flexible member. The flexible member can be used to lock the deployment tube, which in turn can be used to lock the umbrella-like structure, in a stowed configuration. Alternatively or additionally, a second flexible member can be used to deploy the deployment tube, which in turn can be used to deploy the umbrella-like structure.