Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating fiber reinforced plastic structures is provided. The apparatus includes a mold surface upon which can be supported a lay-up of one or more layers of a fibrous material, and over which can be placed a fluid impervious outer sheet with an inlet port and having its edges marginally sealed upon the mold surface to form a chamber. A vacuum outlet is connected to the chamber for drawing a vacuum therefrom. A resin distribution system is positioned between the lay-up and the fluid impervious sheet. The resin distribution system includes a distribution sheet for receiving resin from the inlet port and at least one flat resin distribution line connected to the inlet port.

Abstract: High density, low epsilon ballast materials are disclosed. The materials comprise dielectric ceramic particles in a polymeric matrix. The composite material possesses higher density/dielectric ratios in comparison with conventional ballast materials.

Abstract: A Space Elevator for transporting a payload from one point to another in outer space, includes a first structure, located at a first relatively fixed, non-zero orbital distance from the surface of the earth, for receiving payloads, a second structure, located at a second relatively fixed orbital distance from the surface of the earth, for receiving payloads, where the second distance is greater than the first distance, a third structure located near the center of gravity of the combined apparatus providing a platform for storing and/or processing payloads, and a payload transporting apparatus disposed between and interconnecting the first and third and second and third structural means.

Abstract: A hand held diagnostic test device enables determination of the integrity of low observable (L.O.) properties in structures or surfaces of a structure, and includes a housing containing a first component for coupling energy signals into the structure or a surface of the structure, a second component for detecting the response energy signals, a third component for determining whether the response energy signals indicate flaws in the surface of the structure, and a fourth component for signaling an operator of the diagnostic test device of the results. The energy signal is an RF signal, and a microprocessor in the test device enables determination of the integrity of the structure of surface by comparing the returned signals against a stored acceptable signal. Acceptability or non-acceptability is signaled to the operator of the diagnostic test device by indicator lamps located on the sensor housing and/or a digital display.