Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for tracking objects in a three-dimensional space is disclosed. One method includes receiving detections representing targets, increasing a classification of a track in response to a detection matching the track, decreasing a classification of a track in response to no detections matching the track, and processing detections according to a classification level of the track.

Abstract: For trapping atoms, an x-axis wire carries an x-axis current I0cos ?t, wherein I0 is current amplitude, ? is a trap field frequency, and t is time. A y-axis wire carries a y-axis current I0sin ?t, the y-axis wire intersecting the x-axis wire at a cross center. A ?-field coil generates a transverse magnetic bias field ? rotating about the cross center and perpendicular to a z axis. A ?-field coil generates a longitudinal magnetic bias field ? rotating about the cross center and perpendicular to the z axis. The x-axis wire, the y-axis wire, the transverse magnetic bias field ?, and the longitudinal magnetic bias field ? form a time-averaged trap along the z axis near the cross center.

Abstract: For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: An expanding dowel-pin comprises an upper-collet, inside-conical bore with one or more upper-collet slits. The expanding dowel pin further includes a double-tapered cylinder with tapered cones tapering more narrowly from its middle. The expanding dowel pin further includes a lower collet with a lower-collet, inside-conical bore which has one or more lower-collet slits. The lower collet further includes a lower-collet, inside-straight bore with lower-collet internal screw threads. The upper collet, the double-tapered cylinder, and the lower collet are, in that order, configured to have a bolt pass therethrough. The lower-collet internal screw threads are configured to engage the bolt, such that, when the bolt is rotated a first direction relative to the lower collet, the upper collet and the lower collet are configured to be compressed together by the bolt. The compression by the bolt results in the expansion of the upper-collet and the lower-collet.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes a vacuum chamber to receive one or more pairs of laser beams and a nanoparticle. Each laser beam includes an axis and a focus having three dimensions. The nanoparticle is trapped in an oscillating state in a substantially overlapping three-dimensional foci of the one or more pairs of laser beams. A processor calculates an acceleration of the nanoparticle based on changes in position of the oscillating nanoparticle. At least one photodetector identifies spatial coordinates of the oscillating nanoparticle. The at least one photodetector includes a plurality of photodetectors that are aligned to sense interference between light from a first laser beam and light from the first laser beam that is scattered by the oscillating nanoparticle. The one or more pairs of laser beams may be collinear. The one or more pairs of laser beams may be configured to point at each other.

Abstract: A counter-swarm firework includes a shell casing, multiple streamers positioned in the shell casing, a burst charge positioned in the shell casing and configured to disperse the multiple streamers from the shell casing when discharged, a pusher plate positioned in the shell casing between the burst charge and the multiple streamers, a fire suppressant layer positioned between the burst charge and the pusher plate, and a kick charge configured to launch the shell casing and its contents prior to discharging the burst charge. The fire suppression layer may be configured to suppress heat generated by the discharge of the burst charge.

Abstract: A counter-swarm firework includes a shell casing, multiple streamers positioned in the shell casing, a burst charge positioned in the shell casing and configured to disperse the multiple streamers from the shell casing when discharged, a pusher plate positioned in the shell casing between the burst charge and the multiple streamers, a fire suppressant layer positioned between the burst charge and the pusher plate, and a kick charge configured to launch the shell casing and its contents prior to discharging the burst charge. The fire suppression layer may be configured to suppress heat generated by the discharge of the burst charge.

Abstract: For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: For determining a communication window is disclosed, a method generates a communication graph that includes backbone nodes, dummy nodes, data collection nodes, downlink nodes, crosslink send nodes, and crosslink receive nodes. The backbone nodes, the data collection nodes, the downlink nodes, the crosslink-transmit nodes, and the crosslink-receive nodes are connected by one of a homogenous edge between nodes of a same type and transition edges between nodes of a different type. The method determines access windows for downlink communications and crosslink communications using the communication graph. The method selects access windows based on a task graph generated from the communication graph. The method communicates from a given satellite within the selected access windows.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a coherent light source and an array of electrically coupled light-sensitive pixel elements. The interferometer is configured to direct an internal optical path of the coherent light source and an external optical path of the coherent light source into a monolithic unit cell. In addition, the monolithic unit cell is configured to direct the internal optical path first through the monolithic unit cell and then onto the array and also configured to direct the external optical path back outside the monolithic unit cell through an external environment and then back into the monolithic unit cell and finally onto the array. In addition, interferometer is further configured to combine the internal optical path and the external optical path at the array and produce a first interferogram on the array, the interferogram characterizing an optical property of the external environment.

Abstract: In embodiments, a uniaxial optical multi-measurement sensor comprises a sensor housing having a center axis and a cylindrical surface and an array of electrically coupled light-sensitive pixel elements attached to the cylindrical surface. Each pixel element is positioned having its light-sensitive side facing towards the center axis. In this embodiment, a conical light redistribution optic is positioned along the center axis to direct or reimage uncollimated light entering the sensor housing onto the pixel elements. Also, in this embodiment, the pixel elements are positioned relative to the light redistribution optic to measure or image two or more properties of the uncollimated light entering the sensor housing of a single scene and from a single viewpoint.

Abstract: A uniaxial optical multi-measurement imaging system includes an imaging lens column having an optical axis and configured to receive light from a scene from a single viewpoint. The imaging system also includes a light redistribution optic (LRO) in the shape of a thin pyramid shell with an apex. The LRO is centered along the optical axis with the apex pointing towards the imaging lens column. The LRO has planar sides with each side angled 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis and configured to reflect and transmit the light. The imaging system also includes a circumferential filter array (CFA) concentrically located around the LRO. The CFA is configured to filter the light reflected from or transmitted through the LRO. The imaging system includes multiple image sensors, each positioned to receive the light reflected from or transmitted through the LRO.

Abstract: An aperture stop exploitation camera comprises an imaging lens column positioned along an optical axis and configured to transmit light from a scene from a single viewpoint and converge the light as it passes through the aperture stop. Also, the camera comprises a light redistribution optic (LRO) that is a thin V-shape having an apex. The LRO is centered along the optical axis with the apex pointing towards the imaging lens column. The LRO has two planar sides with each side angled 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis and each side configured to reflect and transmit the light transmitted from the imaging lens column into three independent, spatially separate images, each retaining all the spectral, polarimetric, and relative intensity information of the light from the scene. The camera comprises three image sensors, each image sensor positioned to receive one of the three independent, spatially separate images.

Abstract: For generating a points-of-interest plan, a method generates communication graph nodes for at least one satellite. The method calculates communication graph edges from the communication graph nodes, wherein the communication graph nodes and the communication graph edges comprise a communication graph. The method solves the communication graph to yield a communication plan. The method generates a points-of-interest plan from the communication plan.

Abstract: A counter-swarm firework includes a shell casing, multiple streamers positioned in the shell casing, a burst charge positioned in the shell casing and configured to disperse the multiple streamers from the shell casing when discharged, a pusher plate positioned in the shell casing between the burst charge and the multiple streamers, a fire suppressant layer positioned between the burst charge and the pusher plate, and a kick charge configured to launch the shell casing and its contents prior to discharging the burst charge. The fire suppression layer may be configured to suppress heat generated by the discharge of the burst charge.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a housing, at least two electrodes, a solid-grain fuel material, a combustion chamber, an oxidizer port, and a nozzle. The housing has a first end and a second end and defines a cavity. The electrodes extend into the cavity. The fuel material is free of an oxidizer and is positioned in the cavity. The fuel material has a combustion surface and is exposed to the electrodes. The combustion chamber is defined between the combustion surface and the second end. The oxidizer port provides a flow of oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The nozzle is positioned at the second end. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may be dominated by radiative heat transfer. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may generate thrust of no more than 5 N at an oxidizer flow rate of no more than 5 g/s.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a housing, at least two electrodes, a solid-grain fuel material, a combustion chamber, an oxidizer port, and a nozzle. The housing has a first end and a second end and defines a cavity. The electrodes extend into the cavity. The fuel material is free of an oxidizer and is positioned in the cavity. The fuel material has a combustion surface and is exposed to the electrodes. The combustion chamber is defined between the combustion surface and the second end. The oxidizer port provides a flow of oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The nozzle is positioned at the second end. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may be dominated by radiative heat transfer.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a housing, at least two electrodes, a solid-grain fuel material, a combustion chamber, an oxidizer port, and a nozzle. The housing has a first end and a second end and defines a cavity. The electrodes extend into the cavity. The fuel material is free of an oxidizer and is positioned in the cavity. The fuel material has a combustion surface and is exposed to the electrodes. The combustion chamber is defined between the combustion surface and the second end. The oxidizer port provides a flow of oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The nozzle is positioned at the second end. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may be dominated by radiative heat transfer. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may generate thrust of no more than 5 N at an oxidizer flow rate of no more than 5 g/s.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for object detection are described. An example method for object detection is provided which may include capturing at least three polarization angles of a scene. The method may include translating polarization parameters associated with the at least three polarization angles to a reference angle to create a vector map and resolving the vector map into parallel components and perpendicular components, wherein the parallel components are parallel to a plane of incidence of light in the scene and the perpendicular components are perpendicular. The method may further include determining a range map based at least in part on the parallel and perpendicular components, detecting an object present in the scene using the range map and an airlight scattering polarization component, and outputting an indication of the object.