Abstract: Shape memory alloys (SMAs) may be used for static rock splitting. The SMAs may be used as high-energy multifunctional materials, which have a unique ability to recover large deformations and generate high stresses in response to thermal loads.

Abstract: A communications system includes a radio frequency (“RF”) antenna. The RF antenna includes a RF reflector and a RF feed axially spaced from the RF reflector. The communications system also includes an optical telescope sharing an axis with the RF antenna. The optical telescope includes primary and secondary reflectors centered at the axis. A mounting structure mechanically couples a housing of the primary reflector to the secondary optical reflector. The mounting structure includes a plurality of truss struts extending the entirety of an axial distance between the primary and secondary optical reflectors and a plurality of support rings interconnecting the plurality of truss struts at various locations on the central axis at or between the primary and secondary optical reflectors. Each of the plurality of support rings and truss struts is structured to minimize the cross section of the support rings along radials originating at the RF feed.

Abstract: Beamforming channels of a satellite are calibrated using a low power, spread spectrum calibration signal. The power of the calibration signal is below the noise level of a user signal in an active channel, allowing channels to be calibrated while active. When calibrating the transmit side circuitry, a two-stage calibration can be used, first calibrating the output hybrid matrix, then calibrating the whole of the transmit side. To improve performance, the dwell time spend calibrating a channel can be based on the power of the user signal in the channel. A transmit probe can be used to inject a calibration signal into the receive antennae and a receive probe can be used to extract the calibration signal from the transmit antennae. To reduce frequency of calibrations, the calibrations can be based on path-to-path differences. These techniques are also applied to multiport amplifiers (MPAs).

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure provide high efficiency synthetic aperture radar satellite designs that achieve higher power efficiency and higher antenna aperture size to satellite mass ratios than the current state of the art. In various embodiments, a high efficiency synthetic aperture radar satellite includes a satellite bus and a parabolic reflector antenna coupled to the satellite bus. The satellite system may further include a traveling wave tube amplifier configured to drive the parabolic reflector antenna, and a body-mounted steering system configured to mechanically steer the satellite system to direct the parabolic reflector antenna. The satellite system may further include a processor configured to combine the pulse reflections and generate image data representing the region of interest, in which the image data is effectively obtained with a synthetic aperture greater than the actual antenna aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a satellite telecommunications system including at least one satellite in terrestrial orbit, referred to as optical gateway satellite, having a payload, the payload including a communication module, referred to as user module, capable of exchanging data with at least one terrestrial user terminal, and further including a communication module, referred to as gateway module, capable of exchanging data in the form of optical signals with at least one terrestrial optical gateway station. Also disclosed is a method for controlling such a satellite telecommunications system.

Abstract: A product display merchandiser comprising a tray, a spring biased pusher slidable within the tray, and a visual indicator comprising at least one light activated by a switch, the switch configured to be actuated when the pusher is within a predetermined portion of the tray.

Abstract: A handheld air sampler device for enrichment of airborne substances and/or particles, in particular microorganisms, includes: an inlet configured for air intake into a flow channel; an outlet configured for fluidic ally connecting the flow channel to an external vacuum device; a permeable backing element arranged in the flow channel, the backing element being configured to receive and support a filter element; and a sealing element configured for sealing a filter element received on the backing element such that, when a negative pressure is applied to the outlet, air entering the inlet forms an airstream passing the filter element and airborne substances and/or particles, in particular microorganisms, are enriched in the filter element. An air sampling arrangement includes a handheld air sampler device of this type.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor having a first shaft extending therefrom. The motor is configured to apply energy to the first shaft. A particle cartridge mechanically is coupled to the motor via the first shaft. The particle cartridge includes a screen separating an internal volume of the particle cartridge from an environment of the apparatus, and a plurality of particles disposed within the internal volume. A particle manipulation element is mechanically coupled to the first shaft and in contact with the plurality of particles. The particle manipulation element moves in response to the energy being applied to the first shaft to force some of the particles through the screen and into the environment of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microwave antenna module for use in an antenna system installed on board a space platform. The disclosed microwave antenna module includes a transmit/receive module, which comprises: a first package and a second package, that are hermetically sealed to one another and that are multilayer ceramic substrate packages; and an interposer connector, that is interposed between the first and second packages and comprises a body and connection means provided in the body. First and second electronic circuitries are connected to the connection means of the interposer connector for routing microwave, control and power signals through the connection means. The first electronic circuitry includes a directional coupler in stripline-coplanar configuration.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes a plurality of deployable module elements, at least one of the deployable module elements including a robotic manipulator, the spacecraft being reconfigurable from a launch configuration to an on-orbit configuration. In the launch configuration, the deployable module elements are disposed in a launch vehicle in a first arrangement. In the on-orbit configuration, the deployable module elements are disposed in a second configuration. The spacecraft is self-assembled by the robotic manipulator reconfiguring the spacecraft from the launch configuration, through a transition configuration, to the on-orbit configuration. The deployable module elements may be in a stacked arrangement in the launch configuration and may be in a side-by-side arrangement in the on-orbit configuration.

Abstract: A combined system for imaging and communication by laser signals including a telescope (10) in which the primary (1) and secondary (2) mirrors are shared between an imaging function and a function involving the emission of laser transmission signals. The accuracy required for the direction of emission (DE) of the laser transmission signals is obtained by additionally placing a geolocation device on board a satellite carrying the combined system. No coarse pointing assembly is used and it is also possible for the system to be devoid of any fine pointing assembly and target acquisition and tracking detector.

Abstract: An engineered ceramic matrix is provided to blunt and self-heal matrix cracks to reduce oxygen ingress into a fiber reinforced composite.

Abstract: Described are solid-state energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Useful electrodes include metals and metal oxides, and useful electrolytes include amorphous ceramic thin film electrolytes that permit conduction or migration of ions across the electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.

Abstract: A payload dispenser for a launch vehicle includes a plurality of panels. At least one panel includes a payload mounted onto the panel. The panels are attachable to each other to thereby form a self-supporting dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel liquid crystal material composition comprising one or more compound, in order to achieve the properties of low viscosity, high resistivity, good low-temperature mutual solubility, fast response, excellent transmission, and which can be used for a variety of fast response display modes. Since the working temperature of a LCD material is subjected to the temperature range of individual LC molecules, information can only be displayed in a specific temperature range of the specific liquid crystal macro-alignment phase. At low temperature, the viscosity of liquid crystal increases exponentially, which in turn substantially reduces the response speed and overall performances of the display system.

Abstract: A knot-tying head adapted to form a knot with a filament around a cylindrical part, and wherein the knot-tying head includes a first body and a second body, wherein both bodies are configured such that when they are attached they form a hollow space between one another for receiving the part; wherein the first body and the second body include at least one conduit forming a path substantially around the hollow space, and the conduit being adapted to receive the filament, and at least one groove communicating the conduit with the hollow space along all or part of its path, the width of the groove being less than the width of the conduit and greater than the width of the filament used to form the knot.

Abstract: An aircraft having a warning device for generating a whistling sound has a fuselage and a warning device. The warning device has a sound-generating element which is designed to generate a whistling sound if the aircraft is in an uncontrolled dive in the direction of the surface of the earth and there is a flow of fluid against the sound-generating element. The warning device is at least partially arranged on the fuselage of the aircraft.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for an aircraft is provided that includes a turbine engine, a first electric machine assembly connected to the turbine engine, a second electric machine assembly driven by the first electric machine assembly, and multiple third electric machine assemblies driven by the first electric machine assembly, wherein the multiple third electric machines provide a thrust output to propel the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for autonomous controlling of a remote controlled aerial vehicle, wherein a flight operator commands the aerial vehicle, comprising the steps of: initializing a data link between the aerial vehicle and a ground segment; determining an operation condition of the data link during use of the data link; and issuing at least one autonomous controlling command, if, as a result of the determining, a loss of the data link is determined.

Abstract: A fluidic oscillator device, in particular for a or in a flow control system for an aircraft or spacecraft, has a first and a second fluidic actuator, wherein each of the actuators has an inlet for supplying pressure and a first and a second outlet, from which an actuator flow can be discharged. The device further has a fluidic control for controlling an oscillating discharge of the actuator flow from the first and second outlet of the actuators, wherein the control has a connection portion which is arranged between the first actuator and the second actuator.