Abstract: A fast calibration test system and method for a phased-array antenna, which belongs to the technical field of antenna measurement, relates to a near-field test system, and relates in particular to the fast calibration and a directional diagram test on a phased-array antenna.

Abstract: To facilitate on-orbit servicing, such as for a refueling operation, techniques are presented for a servicing satellite to cut through the multi-layer insulation blanket of a client satellite to provide access to the client satellite without releasing unacceptable quantities of foreign object debris from the multi-layer insulation. The serving satellite includes a sealing tool, such as a pair of heater rollers, that apply pressure and heat to the insulating blanket to melt the inner layers and seal the outer layers together. The servicing satellite can then use a cutting tool to cut the sealed region and access the client satellite.

Abstract: Enclosures for facilitating activities in space, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a spacecraft having an enclosed interior volume (which can be formed by an inflatable membrane) and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carried by the spacecraft and positioned to deploy into the enclosed interior volume. The system can include a remote-control system to control the one or more UAVs from a terrestrial location while the spacecraft is in space. A wireless charging system can provide electrical power to the one or more UAVs. A representative method includes configuring one or more controllers to launch a first spacecraft to a first orbit, launch a second spacecraft to a second orbit, move the first spacecraft to the second orbit, dock the first spacecraft with the second spacecraft, and broadcast an event within an interior volume of the first spacecraft to a terrestrial location.

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 modulated retro reflector-based satellite network communication system and method are provided. The system includes: a data acquisition layer configured to acquire data to be acquired, perform integrated analysis on the data to be acquired and send an integrated analysis result to a backbone network layer; the backbone network layer configured to receive a control instruction sent by a ground station, schedule first satellites based on the control instruction, and send the integrated analysis result to the ground station; and the ground station configured to generate the control instruction, send the control instruction to the backbone network layer, detect the first satellites and the second satellites, and receive the integrated analysis result. Through the system, the SWaP value of the satellite may be greatly reduced, thereby being suitable for communication networking of micro-satellites.

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: Methods, systems, and computing platforms for mobile data communication are disclosed. The processor(s) may be configured to receive a plurality of user mobile parking beacon data and storing the user mobile parking beacon data in a computer readable database for a mobile device. The processor(s) may be configured to process the user mobile parking beacon data with a machine learning processor as to output at least one most probable lane location vector associated with the mobile device. The processor(s) may be configured to electronically output the at least one most probable lane location vector to a parking processing module.

Abstract: An impact driver separation device for spacecraft and other vehicular separation mechanisms including a first element, second element, first connector, second connector, and impact actuator. The first element and the second element are joined by the first connector and the second connector. The impact actuator connects to the first connector or the second connector. In one example, the first connector is a bolt, and the second connector is a nut. In another example, the first connector is a nut, and the second connector is a bolt. When the impact actuator connects to the first connector, the impact actuator permits removal of the first connector from the second connector for separation of the first element and the second element. When the impact actuator connects to the second connector, the impact actuator permits removal of the second connector from the first connector for separation of the first element and the second element.

Abstract: Systems of weldable wires, powder, and materials comprising an aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloy, and methods for additive manufacturing the alloy are described. The alloy can be additive manufactured in industrial scale. With post treatment, the additive manufactured alloys can have desired properties for aerospace applications.

Abstract: A fluid transfer interface is provided. The fluid transfer interface includes one or more of first and second interface portions. The first interface portion includes a first portion of a fluid connector and one or more ferromagnetic surfaces. The second interface portion includes an extendable second portion of the fluid connector and one or more electropermanent magnets, laterally disposed around the second portion of the fluid connector, configured to be magnetized or demagnetized in unison. The one or more electropermanent magnets are further configured to provide attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when magnetized and couple the first interface portion to the second interface portion and provide no attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when demagnetized and allow the first interface portion to be decoupled from the second interface portion.

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: 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: Methods and structures are presented for implementing an automatic target recognition system as a convolutional neural network (CNN) in a satellite or other environment with constrained resources, such as limited memory capacity and limited processing capability. For example, this allows for the automatic target recognition to be implemented on a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Image data is split into subsets of contiguous pixels, with the subsets processed in parallel in a CNN of a corresponding processing node using quantized weight values that are determined in a training process that accounts for the constraints of the automatic target recognition system. The results of the automatic target recognition process is based on the combined output of the processing nodes.

Abstract: An object identification unit contains an artificial neural network and is designed to identify human faces. For this purpose, a face is divided into a number of triangles. The relative component of the area of each triangle in the total of the areas of all triangles is ascertained to ascertain a rotational angle of the face. The relative component of the area of each triangle in the total of the area of all triangles is then scaled to a rotation-invariant dimension of the face. The scaled area of the triangles is supplied to the artificial neural network in order to identify a person.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and locating a signal source. The system contains an antenna array with antennas, a control unit that is connected to the antenna array, and an evaluation unit to receive data from the control unit. The antennas are designed to acquire a signal emitted by the signal source. The control unit is designed to ascertain a cross-correlation or covariance matrix of a signal received from the antenna array, and to transmit the cross-correlation or covariance matrix to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is designed to ascertain a position of the signal source on the basis of the cross-correlation or covariance matrix received from the control unit.

Abstract: In a method for performing gaze redirection, a video stream of a user is received, each video frame from the video stream including a depiction of a gaze of the user. For each video frame from the video stream, an estimated gaze direction of the gaze of the user in that video frame is determined. A field of view (FOV) for a virtual representation associated with the user in a virtual environment is determined. An updated video frame including a modified gaze direction of the user different from the estimated gaze direction of the gaze of the user is generated.

Abstract: Additively manufactured thrust chambers and thrust chambers with integral fluid manifolds, and hybrid additive manufacturing methods for their production, are provided. Hybrid additive manufacturing techniques may combine a variety of processes including, WAAM, PBF, cold spray and DED, for example, to produce objects with variant dimensional requirements, i.e., large overall size and small features. Hybrid additive manufacturing may be defined as provide various process layers within any manufactured object. These process layers in turn allow for the introduction of variable feature and size distribution throughout the manufactured object. Hybrid process layers according to aspects may also allow the use of a variety of materials or may use a single material across the various process layers.

Abstract: A rocket engine is provided with a propellant valve controlling the output of a propellant tank. The valve is configured to induce a vortex in the propellant as it passes the propellant valve. Plural rocket engines may be supplied by a single valve, the valve inducing a vortex in the propellant which is then supplied to plural propellant lines configured to enhance the vortex induced by the valve.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly dual junction solar cell for space use including a solar cell stack including first and second subcells stacked on each other and each including an epitaxially grown light absorbing layer. The first subcell is adjacent to a solar cell stack front, light-receiving surface and the second subcell is adjacent to a solar cell stack rear surface. The first subcell light absorbing layer has a larger bandgap than the second subcell light absorbing layer. A light reflecting element positioned adjacent to a second subcell light absorbing layer rear side is configured to reflect photons having an energy smaller than the bandgap energy of the second subcell light absorbing layer and/or photons having an energy larger than the bandgap energy of the second subcell light absorbing layer and smaller than the bandgap energy of the first subcell light absorbing layer with a reflectivity of at least 90%.