Abstract: An example of a satellite includes a first radiator panel, a second radiator panel, a space defined between the first radiator panel and the second radiator panel, and one or more first heat-generating components located in the space. Each of the first heat-generating components is attached to at least one of the first or second radiator panels. The satellite further includes a third radiator panel extending from the space and one or more second heat-generating components located in the space, each of the second heat-generating components is attached to the third radiator panel.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a planar five bar linkage having a ground link and an endpoint. A feed horn is attached at or near the endpoint of the planar five bar linkage. A first motor is attached to a first side of the ground link to move the endpoint and a second motor attached to the second side of the ground link to move the endpoint.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for a dispenserless multi-satellite launch configuration in which multiple satellites are interconnected to form a composite beam structure that provides stability independently of the launch vehicle. When in the launch configuration, the satellites are formed into a bundle, where each satellite connects by one or more simple connector along the edges of its inner facing vertical side to the satellite adjacent on each side. This composite beam structure provides a stable launch configuration independently of the launch vehicle. Each of the satellites also has one or more connectors along the bottom edge of the inner facing vertical side allowing the bundle to be attached to a ring type launch vehicle interface. Once launched, the satellites can be dispensed by releasing the connector.

Abstract: A satellite propellant tank includes a tank body and a dome attached to the tank body to enclose an interior volume for propellant storage. One or more cavities are formed in the dome. One or more propellant control components are located in the one or more cavities formed in the dome.

Abstract: An example of a satellite includes a first radiator panel with first heat-generating components attached to its surface and a second radiator panel with second heat-generating components attached to its surface. One or more actuators are configured to deploy the first and second radiator panels from a compact configuration in which the first and second radiator panels are overlapping to a deployed configuration in which the first and second radiator panels are non-overlapping.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed herein for a spacecraft launch restraint and dispensing structure. The dispensing structure has a number of trusses and a central structure. When the trusses are in a support position, each spacecraft may be supported at one point by the central structure and at two points by one or more of the trusses. Therefore, each spacecraft may be supported at three points, thereby providing a stable support for each spacecraft. The spacecrafts do not touch each other and do not bear the weight of other spacecrafts. In a deployment position, the trusses extend away from the satellites and do not support the satellites; however, the satellites initially remain connected to the central structure. In the deployment position, the trusses are out of an ejection path such that the satellites can be ejected in a desired sequence from the central structure.

Abstract: Described herein is a power processing unit (PPU) for use with a Hall Effect Thruster (HET) and a Propellant Management Assembly (PMA) of a spacecraft. The PPU comprises an anode and ignitor supply subsystem that provides anode and ignitor signals to an anode and an ignitor circuit of the HET. The PPU also comprises a valve control subsystem that provides valve control signal(s) to valve(s) of the PMA. The anode and ignitor supply subsystem and the valve control subsystem are each coupled to a low voltage (LV) bus of an electrical power subsystem of the spacecraft. The anode and ignitor supply subsystem includes a step-up DC-DC converter having a transformer that steps-up a voltage of the LV bus to a higher voltage used to produce the anode and ignitor signals. The valve control subsystem is devoid of a transformer. An Electric Propulsion System (EPS) includes the PPU, HET and PMA.

Abstract: A distributed computer system for a spacecraft is disclosed. The system has multiple computer nodes, each controlling a different aspect of a mission of the spacecraft. Each node includes a control circuit(s) that controls a set of components, a router processor, and a programmable processor. The programmable processor of each respective computer node issue commands to the control circuit(s) of the respective computer node to carry out an aspect of the mission associated with the respective computer node. Upon failure of the programmable processor in a particular computer node, a healthy programmable processor send commands to the router processor in the particular computer node The router processor of the particular computer node routes the commands received from the remote programmable processor to the control circuit(s) in the particular computer node to control the set of components to carry out the aspect of the mission associated with particular computer node.

Abstract: A solar array structure for a spacecraft is based on a modular approach, allowing for arrays to be designed, and designed to be modified, and manufactured in reduced time and with reduced cost. The embodiments for the solar array are formed of multiple copies of a “bay” of a multiple strings of solar array cells mounted on semi-rigid face-sheet structural elements. The bays are then placed into frame structures made of tubes connected by nodes to provide an easily scalable, configurable, and producible solar array wing structure. This allows for rapid turnaround of program specific designs and proposal iterations that is quickly adaptable to new/future PhotoVoltaic (PV) technologies and that can create uniquely shaped (i.e., not rectangular) arrays, allowing for mass production with simple mass producible building blocks.

Abstract: A satellite observation system and method of deploying a satellite system are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of observation satellites comprising one or more sensors, each of the plurality of observation satellites configured with at least a solar array and a mechanical stabilization element. Each of the plurality of observation satellites is constructed without positioning components. The plurality of observation satellites is positioned in a dawn/dusk sun-synchronous orbital plane about a celestial body such that the one or more observation sensors are oriented toward the celestial body.

Abstract: A solar array structure, such as for a spacecraft, uses thin solar array panels that, when in a stowed configuration, are stiffened by being bent or curved in one direction to be shaped like a section of a cylinder and placed within a rigid structural frame. As a curved solar panel is not as efficient as a flat panel directly facing the sun, the solar array panels are curved in their stowed configuration for launch only, but flatten after deployment by use of a partially flexible structural frame, where a rectangular frame is made of two opposing rigid sides and two opposing flexible sides, with a thin flexible solar panel attached to rigid sides only. The rigid sides are compressed during stowage to curve the panel before hold-down tensioning. The structure and panels return to their flat free state configuration after release.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for a spacecraft launch restraint and dispensing structure. Stacks of spacecrafts may be arranged around a central post. The dispensing structure has primary tie-down mechanisms that axially clamp the stacks of spacecrafts when in a stowed position. Each primary tie-down mechanism may have a rod located between two adjacent stacks, such that the rod tensions two stacks. In a deployment position, the primary tie-down rods extend away from the stack such that an ejection path is cleared. The dispensing structure also includes secondary tie-down mechanisms that radially connect the spacecrafts to the central post. After the primary tie-down rods are moved to the deployment position, the secondary tie-down mechanisms still hold the spacecrafts. The spacecrafts may be deployed by issuing control signals to the secondary tie-down mechanisms when the primary tie-down rods are in the deployment position.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed herein for a spacecraft launch restraint and dispensing structure. The dispensing structure has a number of trusses and a central structure. When the trusses are in a support position, each spacecraft may be supported at one point by the central structure and at two points by one or more of the trusses. Therefore, each spacecraft may be supported at three points, thereby providing a stable support for each spacecraft. The spacecrafts do not touch each other and do not bear the weight of other spacecrafts. In a deployment position, the trusses extend away from the satellites and do not support the satellites; however, the satellites initially remain connected to the central structure. In the deployment position, the trusses are out of an ejection path such that the satellites can be ejected in a desired sequence from the central structure.

Abstract: A solar array structure for a spacecraft includes one or a pair of flexible blanket or other foldable solar arrays and a deployable frame structure. The deployable frame structure includes a T-shaped yoke structure, a T-shaped end structure, and one or more rigid beams, the T-shaped yoke structure connectable to the spacecraft. When deployed, the frame structure tensions the flexible blanket solar array or arrays between the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure. When stowed, the flexible blanket solar array or arrays are folded in an accordion manner to form a stowed pack or packs between the cross-member arms of the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure, also stowed in its own Z-fold arrangement. The cross-member arms of the T-shaped end structure can include a solar array that can provide power before deployment while the flexible blanket solar array is stowed.

Abstract: A solar array structure for a spacecraft includes one or a pair of flexible blanket or other foldable solar arrays and a deployable frame structure. The deployable frame structure includes a T-shaped yoke structure, a T-shaped end structure, and one or more rigid beams, the T-shaped yoke structure connectable to the spacecraft. When deployed, the frame structure tensions the flexible blanket solar array or arrays between the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure. When stowed, the flexible blanket solar array or arrays are folded in an accordion manner to form a stowed pack or packs between the cross-member arms of the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure, also stowed in its own Z-fold arrangement. The cross-member arms of the T-shaped end structure can include a solar array that can provide power before deployment while the flexible blanket solar array is stowed.

Abstract: A solar array structure for a spacecraft includes one or a pair of flexible blanket or other foldable solar arrays (such as flexible panels) and a deployable frame structure. The deployable frame structure includes a T-shaped yoke structure, a T-shaped end structure, and one or more rigid beams, the T-shaped yoke structure connectable to the spacecraft. When deployed, the frame structure tensions the flexible blanket solar array or arrays between the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure. When stowed, the flexible blanket solar array or arrays are folded in an accordion manner to form a stowed pack or packs between the cross-member arms of the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure, also stowed in its own Z-fold arrangement. The cross-member arms of the T-shaped end structure can include a solar array that can provide power before deployment while the flexible blanket solar array is stowed.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for a spacecraft launch restraint and dispensing structure. Stacks of spacecrafts may be arranged around a central post. The dispensing structure has primary tie-down mechanisms that axially clamp the stacks of spacecrafts when in a stowed position. Each primary tie-down mechanism may have a rod located between two adjacent stacks, such that the rod tensions two stacks. In a deployment position, the primary tie-down rods extend away from the stack such that an ejection path is cleared. The dispensing structure also includes secondary tie-down mechanisms that radially connect the spacecrafts to the central post. After the primary tie-down rods are moved to the deployment position, the secondary tie-down mechanisms still hold the spacecrafts. The spacecrafts may be deployed by issuing control signals to the secondary tie-down mechanisms when the primary tie-down rods are in the deployment position.

Abstract: A system for aggregating spaced related systems includes accessing service provider information for multiple service providers to determine relevant services/systems available, automatically determining that no single service provider provides services sufficient to perform a particular space activity, automatically identifying multiple services from different service providers that in aggregate include performing the space activity, and automatically determining a parameter to configure space equipment to perform each of the multiple services from the different service providers in order to perform the space activity. In some embodiments, this system can be scaled across multiple regions (e.g., multiple planetary regions). For example, each region can have its own set of servers and ledgers that provide real-time services within the region and opportunistically synchronize between regions (e.g., when communication is available).

Abstract: A wireless communication platform utilizes flexible bandwidth assignment to re-allocate bandwidth between spot beams. The platform may assign a first combination of frequency and polarization (FP) to a first spot beam and a second combination of frequency and polarization to a second spot beam that is adjacent and at least partially overlapping the first spot beam. The platform may assign to the first spot beam a reserved combination of frequency and polarization during a first time period, and at second time, assign the reserved combination to the second spot beam. The platform may also assign the reserved combination simultaneously to adjacent spot beams by managing user of the reserved combination by geographically isolated terminals in the spot beams. The platform may further assign different portions of the reserved combination to adjacent spot beams without geographical limitations.

Abstract: A scalable signal processing system is disclosed that processes digitized spectrum received from a constellation of satellites (or other sources), extracting multiple digital signals from multiple sources through multiple acquisition sites that is virtualized with high availability. A system of one or more antennas can receive a range of frequencies of raw spectrum covering multiple visible orbit planes, where a single antenna can receive signals from multiple satellite concurrently. This can be particularly useful when establishing a constellation satellites, where a number of satellites can be grouped together within an antenna's field of view. A group of digitizers receive the signals from the antennas and creates raw samples to form a spectrum sample pool. The spectrum sample pool is stored in a raw frame archive, where the digitizers and raw frame archive can be co-located and can also be co-located with one or more of the antennas.