Abstract: According to various embodiments, provided herein is an optical system and method that can be configured to perform image analysis. The optical system can comprise a telescope assembly and one or more hybrid instruments. The one or more hybrid instruments can be configured to receive image data from the telescope assembly and perform a fine guidance operation and a wavefront sensing operation, simultaneously, on the image data received from the telescope assembly.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, provided herein is an optical system and method that can be configured to perform image analysis. The optical system can comprise a telescope assembly and one or more hybrid instruments. The one or more hybrid instruments can be configured to receive image data from the telescope assembly and perform a fine guidance operation and a wavefront sensing operation, simultaneously, on the image data received from the telescope assembly.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided that facilitates the measuring of a shape of a flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The measurement system includes a plurality of local sensors, a central sensor and a measurement processor. Each of the plurality of local sensors is configured to sense the position of a portion of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The central sensor is configured to determine an overall shape of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The measurement processor provides the ability to combine sensor data from the local sensors and sensor data from the central sensor to provide an accurate measurement of the shape of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling the shape of a flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The control system includes a plurality of actuators and a plurality of computational elements. Each of the plurality of actuators is coupled to a portion of the radiation structure and can be selectively actuated by the plurality of computational elements. Thus, the plurality of actuators and the plurality of computational elements provide control of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure shape. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of computational elements controls one section of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. Thus each of the plurality of computational elements receives controls the one or more of the plurality of actuator within its section. Together, the plurality of computational elements provide a distributed control network for the radiation structure.

Abstract: A method according to the present invention calculates a performance function for a structural system (10) that can be used to determine system dynamics at points of interest on the structural system (10). A test input force is applied to an input subsystem (12) and an output subsystem (14) while the motion in response to the test input force is measured to determine a drive point transfer function. A test relative force is applied to the input subsystem (12) and output subsystem (14) at interface points in all degrees of freedom while the motion in response to the test relative force is measured in all degrees of freedom to determine the interface transfer functions. A performance function for the structural system (10) is mathematically calculated based upon the measured drive point transfer functions and interface transfer functions.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling the shape of a flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The control system includes a plurality of actuators and a plurality of computational elements. Each of the plurality of actuators is coupled to a portion of the radiation structure and can be selectively actuated by the plurality of computational elements. Thus, the plurality of actuators and the plurality of computational elements provide control of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure shape. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of computational elements controls one section of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. Thus each of the plurality of computational elements receives controls the one or more of the plurality of actuator within its section. Together, the plurality of computational elements provide a distributed control network for the radiation structure.

Abstract: An inertial control and measurement system is provided for applying inertial control to a vehicle and measuring angular rate of the vehicle. The system includes a control moment gyroscope having a spinning rotor, a gimbal, a gimbal support assembly attached to a spacecraft for allowing rotation of the gimbal about a gimbal axis, and a gimbal motor for rotating the gimbal about the gimbal axis to induce torque. A controller controls the gimbal motor to generate a control torque. The controller further determines an angular rate of the vehicle as a function of a determined torque and a gimbal angle acceleration.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided that facilitates the measuring of a shape of a flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The measurement system includes a plurality of local sensors, a central sensor and a measurement processor. Each of the plurality of local sensors is configured to sense the position of a portion of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The central sensor is configured to determine an overall shape of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure. The measurement processor provides the ability to combine sensor data from the local sensors and sensor data from the central sensor to provide an accurate measurement of the shape of the flexible electromagnetic radiation structure.

Abstract: An inertial control and measurement system is provided for applying inertial control to a vehicle and measuring angular rate of the vehicle. The system includes a control moment gyroscope having a spinning rotor, a gimbal, a gimbal support assembly attached to a spacecraft for allowing rotation of the gimbal about a gimbal axis, and a gimbal motor for rotating the gimbal about the gimbal axis to induce torque. A controller controls the gimbal motor to generate a control torque. The controller further determines an angular rate of the vehicle as a function of a determined torque and a gimbal angle acceleration.

Abstract: A method according to the present invention calculates a performance function for a structural system (10) that can be used to determine system dynamics at points of interest on the structural system (10). A test input force is applied to an input subsystem (12) and an output subsystem (14) while the motion in response to the test input force is measured to determine a drive point transfer function. A test relative force is applied to the input subsystem (12) and output subsystem (14) at interface points in all degrees of freedom while the motion in response to the test relative force is measured in all degrees of freedom to determine the interface transfer functions. A performance function for the structural system (10) is mathematically calculated based upon the measured drive point transfer functions and interface transfer functions.