Abstract: A toilet for a zero-gravity condition, having: a seat extending from a first end to a second end, and from a first side to a second side; a leg rest at the first end of the seat that is level with the seat; a backrest at the second end of the seat that extends away from the seat, toward an outer end of the toilet, a first sidewall at the first side of the seat and a second sidewall at the second side of the seat, the sidewalls extend away from the seat toward the outer end of the toilet; a basin extending away from the seat toward an inner end of the toilet; a first inflatable member extending about the leg rest, the sidewalls and the backrest, the first inflatable member is configured to inflate against a back, sides and under legs of a person seated against the seat.

Abstract: A satellite orbiting in one of a plurality of orbital planes of a satellite constellation system at an altitude range corresponding to low earth orbit includes at least one processor configured to generate satellite state data, and to generate a navigation signal based on the satellite state data. The satellite includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device on earth. Each of the plurality of orbital planes includes a corresponding one of a plurality of satellite subsets of a plurality of satellites of the satellite constellation system. Each of the plurality of orbital planes is within the altitude range, and the plurality of orbital planes includes a set of inclined orbital planes at a non-polar inclination.

Abstract: A low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite operates to: determine an orbital position of the LEO satellite based on the first signaling and based on precise point positioning (PPP) correction data associated with the constellation of non-LEO navigation satellites, wherein the PPP correction data includes orbital correction data and timing correction data associated with the constellation of non-LEO navigation satellites, and wherein the PPP correction data is received separate from the first signaling; determine, based on the inter-satellite communications, an error condition associated with one of the other LEO navigation satellites of the constellation of LEO navigation satellites; and broadcast a navigation message based on the orbital position, wherein the navigation message includes a timing signal and the orbital position associated with the LEO satellite, correction data associated with the constellation of non-LEO navigation satellites, and an alert signal that indicates the error condition associated with one

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a method includes flushing a cell stack for a predetermined amount of time as a function of an amount of combustible gas remaining in the cell stack. The method also includes operating a cell stack for a predetermined amount of time, then shutting down the cell stack and ceasing operation of the cell stack for a predetermined amount of time. Flushing occurs after shutting down a cell stack power supply. The method further includes restarting operation of the cell stack after flushing.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a life support system (LSS) for a spacecraft includes a gas accumulator configured to store a gas, the gas accumulator including a non-metallic inner lining. A fluid processor is fluidly connected to the gas accumulator configured to produce one or more life sustaining fluids from at least the gas. A supply conduit can be fluidly connected to the fluid processor configured to supply the one or more life sustaining fluids to one or more portions of the spacecraft.

Abstract: A system includes an oxidative combustion reactor configured to receive solid organic waste and O2, and to output a combined stream of H2O and CO2. A separator is configured to receive the combined stream of H2O and CO2 from the combustion reactor and to separately output a stream of CO2 and a stream of H2O. A Sabatier reactor is operatively connected to receive CO2 from the separator and to receive H2 from an H2 source, and to output gaseous CH4.

Abstract: A coupling system is utilized to form a multi-part rocket engine thrust compartment that maintains inner channels within walls of the thrust compartment for regenerative cooling. The coupling system includes an insert joint arranged between joint faces of a first segment and a second segment. The first segment and the second segment include inner edges that, when jointed together, form an inner wall. The joint insert is installed between the first segment and the second segment after the inner wall is formed and coupled to the first segment and the second segment. The joint faces of the first segment and the second segment include extending feature to form a flow passage along with cavities at least partially defined by the joint insert.

Abstract: A deployable membrane structure for an antenna comprises a membrane comprising a plurality of first regions of higher-stiffness material integrally connected via one or more second regions of lower-stiffness material, wherein the one or more second regions are formed from compliant material configured to permit the membrane to be folded into a collapsed configuration and subsequently unfolded into a deployed configuration, and are arranged so as to allow adjacent ones of the plurality of first regions to be folded so as to lie against one another. In some embodiments the membrane is formed of a composite material comprising a plurality of fibres in a compliant matrix, and the plurality of first regions comprise material with a higher fibre density than the one or more second regions. A deployable antenna comprising the deployable membrane structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a volatile component in extraterrestrial soil through penetration heating induction includes the following: a penetration heater, provided therein with a volatile component measurement and analysis module configured to analyze a volatile component in a detected medium; a gas capture hole, provided on a side wall of the penetration heater and used to divert the volatile component in the detected medium to the volatile component measurement and analysis module; a temperature acquisition module, disposed on the penetration heater and configured to acquire a temperature of the detected medium; and a heating module, disposed on the penetration heater and configured to acquire the temperature of the detected medium. The system has a compact structure, a simple function, and low engineering costs, and can directly detect and analyze a volatile component in deep extraterrestrial soil.

Abstract: A navigation processing system includes at least one processor configured to execute operational instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations that include generating navigation data. A data stream is generated based on the navigation data and a data channel spreading sequence. A pilot stream is generated based on a pilot channel spreading sequence. A navigation signal is generated based on applying a bandwidth-efficient modulation scheme to the data stream and the pilot stream. The navigation is signal is broadcast via a navigation signal transmitter for receipt by at least one client device.

Abstract: A method for forming a dome used in a launch vehicle includes cutting a disk from a plate, the disk having a first disk diameter. The method also includes forming a bend in the disk, the bend applying a curvature to at least a portion of the disk, the disk having a second disk diameter after the forming. The method further includes performing a first heat-treating process to the disk. The method also includes performing a second heat-treating process to the disk. The method further includes machining the disk to remove at least a portion of a thickness of the disk.

Abstract: A system for determining a fluid level includes a front end and a measurement probe. The measurement probe receives a pulse from the front end and returns a partially reflected pulse and a fully reflected pulse to the front end. The partially reflected pulse is evaluated to determine a liquid level within a tank that includes the measurement probe. The measurement probe includes a conductive trace configuration to provide a time delay to prevent pulse build up.

Abstract: A low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes a non-atomic clock configured to generate a clock signal, a navigation signal receiving and processing module, and a navigation signal generation and transmission module. The navigation signal receiving and processing module is configured to receive the clock signal from the non-atomic clock, receive first signaling including first timing data generated based on a high precision clock, and generate clock state data based on the clock signal and the first timing data. The navigation signal generation and transmission module is configured to receive the clock signal from the non-atomic clock, generate a navigation message that indicates the clock state data, generate a broadcast carrier signal by utilizing the clock signal, generate a navigation signal based on modulating the navigation message upon the broadcast carrier signal, and broadcast the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device.

Abstract: A satellite orbiting in one of a plurality of orbital planes of a satellite constellation system at an altitude range corresponding to low earth orbit includes at least one processor configured to generate satellite state data, and to generate a navigation signal based on the satellite state data. The satellite includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device on earth. Each of the plurality of orbital planes includes a corresponding one of a plurality of satellite subsets of a plurality of satellites of the satellite constellation system. Each of the plurality of orbital planes is within the altitude range, and the plurality of orbital planes includes a set of inclined orbital planes at a non-polar inclination.

Abstract: A deployable reflector for an antenna is disclosed. The deployable reflector comprises a deployable membrane configured to adopt a pre-formed shape in a deployed configuration, and an electrically conductive mesh disposed on a surface of the membrane wherein the electrically conductive mesh is configured to permit relative lateral movement between the electrically conductive mesh and the membrane during deployment of the reflector. In the deployed configuration, the conductive mesh adopts the shape of the membrane and forms a reflective surface of the reflector. A method of manufacturing the deployable reflector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pulsed metal plasma thruster (MPT) cube has a plurality of thrusters, each having a first cathode electrode and a trigger electrode separated from the first electrode by an insulator sufficient to support an initiation plasma, and a porous anode electrode positioned a separation distance from the face of all of the cathode electrodes. The cathode electrode can be either the inner electrode or the outer electrode. A power supply delivers a high voltage pulse to the trigger electrode with respect to the cathode electrode sufficient to initiate a plasma on the surface of the insulator. The plasma transfers between the anode electrode and cathode electrode of selected thrusters, thereby generating a pulse of thrust.

Abstract: A low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes a global positioning receiver configured to receive first signaling from a first plurality of non-LEO navigation satellites of a constellation of non-LEO navigation satellites in non-LEO around the earth. An inter-satellite transceiver is configured to send and receive inter-satellite communications with other LEO navigation satellites in a constellation of LEO navigation satellites. At least one processor is configured to execute operational instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations that include: determining an orbital position of the LEO satellite based on applying precise point positioning (PPP) correction data to the first signaling, wherein the PPP correction data is received separately from the first signaling; and generating a navigation message based on the orbital position.

Abstract: A node of a satellite constellation system includes a global positioning receiver configured to receive first signaling from a first plurality of non-LEO navigation satellites of a constellation of non-LEO navigation satellites in non-LEO around the earth. A transceiver is configured to send and receive inter-node communications with other nodes of the satellite constellation system. At least one processor is configured to execute operational instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform operations that include: determining a state of the node of the satellite constellation system based on applying precise point positioning (PPP) correction data to the first signaling, wherein the PPP correction data is received separately from the first signaling; and generating a navigation message based on the state of the node.

Abstract: A deployable membrane structure for an antenna comprises a membrane comprising a plurality of first regions of higher-stiffness material integrally connected via one or more second regions of lower-stiffness material, wherein the one or more second regions are formed from compliant material configured to permit the membrane to be folded into a collapsed configuration and subsequently unfolded into a deployed configuration, and are arranged so as to allow adjacent ones of the plurality of first regions to be folded so as to lie against one another. In some embodiments the membrane is formed of a composite material comprising a plurality of fibres in a compliant matrix, and the plurality of first regions comprise material with a higher fibre density than the one or more second regions. A deployable antenna comprising the deployable membrane structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An on-orbit recycling method for a buffer foam of a cargo spacecraft includes the following steps: mechanically cutting a shaped PU foam into foam micro-blocks, and putting the foam micro-blocks into a packaging bag for packaging, where the packaging bag is filled with a foaming adhesive; the foaming adhesive includes a component A and a component B, which are independently packaged in a two-component packaging bag; and the component A and the component B are separated by a film; and squeezing the film between the component A and the component B, such that the two components are fully mixed, foamed and expanded to finally burst the two-component packaging bag, where after the packaging bag is burst, the foaming adhesive expands into gaps of the foam micro-blocks; and in a microgravity state of space, the foaming adhesive expands and fills uniformly in all directions and fully infiltrates the foam micro-blocks.