Abstract: A spacecraft control architecture uses a multi-joint robotic arm carrying a reflective panel to generate controllable forces and torques from solar radiation pressure and, in some cases, aerodynamic drag. A plurality of attachment points on an exterior surface provide mechanical and electrical interfaces for end effectors of the arm. A control system determines a demanded change in stored momentum and/or orbital state, computes available external forces based on ephemeris and attitude data, and evaluates candidate arm and panel configurations subject to joint limits and keep-out regions for antennas, sensors, and solar wings. The control system selects a target configuration and commands the arm to walk between attachment points by alternately latching and unlatching the end effectors while maintaining at least one latched interface. The architecture can also place the panel in a stowed configuration that produces substantially zero net force and torque.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention implement a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for the use of a robotic arm for momentum unloading and orbit control. In some instances, a panel is attached to the end of a robotic arm. It is positioned, in angle and position, to optimize unloading. The robot arm can move about the spacecraft, giving additional degrees of freedom. The panel can be stowed when necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a viable site for a first object and associated method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and memory that stores code executable by the processor to provide various processes. The apparatus includes receiving a digital model of a terrain including a plurality of elements with corresponding elevations within a predetermined area. The first object is configured to be positioned at a predetermined position within the predetermined area. The apparatus also includes determining a location of a second object at a predetermined time. The apparatus further utilizes a root finding method, to determine a minimum height of the first object above the predetermined position to establish a line of sight with the second object at the predetermined time. The apparatus additionally determines whether the minimum height is within a threshold height of the first object and identifies the predetermined position as a viable site for the first object if it is within the threshold height.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention implement a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for the use of a robotic arm for momentum unloading and orbit control. In some instances, a panel is attached to the end of a robotic arm. It is positioned, in angle and position, to optimize unloading. The robot arm can move about the spacecraft, giving additional degrees of freedom. The panel can be stowed when necessary.

Abstract: A method for the extraction of shadows in noisy images includes capture of an image, subdivision of the image into a plurality of pixels, definition of a square odd matrix for every pixel having said pixel in the center, application of an algorithm to the matrixes of every pixel, and displaying of an error map of the image. The algorithm is a contour algorithm that includes the operations of =computation of the averages for each corner of the matrix, computation of the averages for the top, bottom, left and right sides, computation of the maximum variance between these eight averages, and comparison with a present value (max variance).

Abstract: A method for the extraction of shadows in noisy images includes capture of an image, subdivision of the image into a plurality of pixels, definition of a square odd matrix for every pixel having said pixel in the center, application of an algorithm to the matrixes of every pixel, and displaying of an error map of the image. The algorithm is a contour algorithm that includes the operaitons of = computation of the averages for each corner of the matrix, computation of the averages for the top, bottom, left and right sides, computation of the maximum variance between these eight averages, and comparison with a present value (max variance).