Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for removal of orbital debris are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a spacecraft control unit configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target. The apparatus also includes a dynamic object characterization unit configured to characterize movement, and a capture feature, of the target. The apparatus further includes a capture and release unit configured to capture a target and deorbit or release the target. The collection of these apparatuses is then employed as multiple, independent and individually operated vehicles launched from a single launch vehicle for the purpose of disposing of multiple debris objects.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for removal of orbital debris are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a spacecraft control unit configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target. The apparatus also includes a dynamic object characterization unit configured to characterize movement, and a capture feature, of the target. The apparatus further includes a capture and release unit configured to capture a target and deorbit or release the target. The collection of these apparatuses is then employed as multiple, independent and individually operated vehicles launched from a single launch vehicle for the purpose of disposing of multiple debris objects.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for removal of orbital debris are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a spacecraft control unit configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target. The apparatus also includes a dynamic object characterization unit configured to characterize movement, and a capture feature, of the target. The apparatus further includes a capture and release unit configured to capture a target and deorbit or release the target. The collection of these apparatuses is then employed as multiple, independent and individually operated vehicles launched from a single launch vehicle for the purpose of disposing of multiple debris objects.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for removal of orbital debris are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a spacecraft control unit configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target. The apparatus also includes a dynamic object characterization unit configured to characterize movement, and a capture feature, of the target. The apparatus further includes a capture and release unit configured to capture a target and deorbit or release the target. The collection of these apparatuses is then employed as multiple, independent and individually operated vehicles launched from a single launch vehicle for the purpose of disposing of multiple debris objects.

Abstract: An emergency egress lighting system for a vehicle having multiple egress portals, including first sensors and second sensors that sense information as to vehicle orientation in pitch and roll. A plurality of indicators is changeable between a positive indication and a negative indication locatable inside the vehicle near one of the multiple egress portals. The plurality of indicators display a positive indication and a negative indication at each of the multiple egress portals based on the vehicle orientation in pitch and roll such that a first portion of the plurality of indicators displays the positive indication proximate least one first selected egress portal that is less or least likely to be blocked to prevent egress while a second portion of the of the plurality of indicators display the negative indication proximate at least one second selected egress portals that is more or most likely to be blocked to prevent egress.

Abstract: A method for measuring a body composition measure of an animal includes steps of measuring a first electrical impedance between a front foot pad of the animal and a rear foot pad of the animal; measuring a second electrical impedance between two front foot pads of the animal in parallel with one another and two rear foot pads of the animal in parallel with one another; and utilizing the first electrical impedance, the second electrical impedance, and a regression relationship to determine the body composition measure of the animal.

Abstract: A method for measuring a body composition measure of an animal includes steps of measuring a first electrical impedance between a front foot pad of the animal and a rear foot pad of the animal; measuring a second electrical impedance between two front foot pads of the animal in parallel with one another and two rear foot pads of the animal in parallel with one another; and utilizing the first electrical impedance, the second electrical impedance, and a regression relationship to determine the body composition measure of the animal.

Abstract: A cat litter box has a tray having a bottom from which sides upwardly extend to an upper lip and a lid for the tray which has a top from which sides downwardly extend to a lower lip configured to be supported upon the tray upper lip. The lid sides are formed with an opening through which cats may come and go. A ramp having a rough litter-dislodging surface is mounted in the tray extending upwardly from adjacent the tray bottom to adjacent the lid side wall opening.

Abstract: A threshold for a covered cat litter box having a side entry comprises a stand supporting an elevated cat landing field. A ramp having a rough litter-dislodging surface extends downwardly from the cat landing field. A barrier is provided for barring cats from jumping onto or off the sides of said ramp. Upon setting the threshold with the ramp accessible to the litter box entry cats may ingress and egress the liter box only via the threshold rough, liter dislodging ramp and landing field which dislodges litter from the paws.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyer is provided in which rollers are utilized which have a drive mechanism with a driven load-engaging portion in permanent frictional engagement with a driving portion. The drive mechanism includes an adjustable bias means so that the driving force between a driving portion and a driven portion is adjustable according to the characteristics of the loads to be conveyed. A friction pad is positioned between a disc in the driving portion and a disc in the driven portion of the drive mechanism; the two discs are urged against the friction pad by a compression spring. When the weight of a load in contact with the driven portion is below a predetermined value, the friction between the friction pad and the two discs is sufficient to cause the two discs and the friction pad to rotate conjointly thereby coupling the driving portion to the driven portion.