Abstract: A method of moving a spacecraft from an initial orbit to a final orbit includes providing a spacecraft with thrusters traveling in an initial orbit that has a first RAAN. Thrusters are activated to move the spacecraft into a transfer orbit having more eccentricity than the initial orbit. A RAAN of the transfer orbit changes over time toward a target RAAN. The spacecraft enters an aerobraking orbit wherein the spacecraft is exposed to increased atmospheric drag to reduce orbit energy and reduce an apoapsis radius. Thrusters may be activated to increase the periapsis radius of the aerobraking orbit and cause the spacecraft to move into the final orbit, the final orbit having a final RAAN different from the first RAAN.

Abstract: An orbital transfer vehicle system for cargo delivery is described herein. An orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) resides in space at a staging orbit. The OTV is configured for interfacing with a cargo pod at an insertion orbit to form a mated stack including the OTV and the cargo pod. The OTV is further configured for providing propulsion and rendezvous operations for transporting the mated stack to an intended target destination. Upon completion of delivery of the cargo pod to its intended target destination, the OTV then releases the cargo pod and returns to the staging orbit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to devices and methods for generating and directing energetic electrons toward a target. More specifically, some embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods for generating and directing energetic electrons based in the photoelectric effect and directing electric field-focused beams of the energetic electrons toward a target. Electron guns according to the present technology include one or more light sources to stimulate electron transmission, and a series of differentially charged stages to provide a hollow path allowing electrons generated by the photoelectric effect of the light irradiated on interior surfaces defining the path through the stages to travel to an exit of the electron gun. Each of the differentially charged stages have a different potential, thereby providing electrons having two or more different and tunable energy levels exiting as a beam from the electron gun.

Abstract: A method of moving a spacecraft from an initial orbit to a final orbit includes providing a spacecraft with thrusters traveling in an initial orbit that has a first RAAN. Thrusters are activated to move the spacecraft into a transfer orbit having more eccentricity than the initial orbit. A RAAN of the transfer orbit changes over time toward a target RAAN. The spacecraft enters an aerobraking orbit wherein the spacecraft is exposed to increased atmospheric drag to reduce orbit energy and reduce an apoapsis radius. Thrusters may be activated to increase the periapsis radius of the aerobraking orbit and cause the spacecraft to move into the final orbit, the final orbit having a final RAAN different from the first RAAN.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to devices and methods for generating and directing energetic electrons toward a target. More specifically, some embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods for generating and directing energetic electrons based in the photoelectric effect and directing electric field-focused beams of the energetic electrons toward a target. Electron guns according to the present technology include one or more light sources to stimulate electron transmission, and a series of differentially charged stages to provide a hollow path allowing electrons generated by the photoelectric effect of the light irradiated on interior surfaces defining the path through the stages to travel to an exit of the electron gun. Each of the differentially charged stages have a different potential, thereby providing electrons having two or more different and tunable energy levels exiting as a beam from the electron gun.