Abstract: A communication terminal including a steering module including a plurality of articulating-turning mirrors configured to selectively direct a corresponding plurality of sets of transmitted beams to sets of listeners; a plurality of static turning mirrors optically coupled to the articulating-turning mirrors, wherein the articulating-turning mirrors are respectively associated with the static turning mirrors; and a refractive common optic optically coupled to the static-turning mirrors; and an optical module including a plurality of transmitter-receiver modules optically coupled to the refractive common optic.

Abstract: A laser communications system includes a wide-field sensor, configured to detect a first set of laser communications sources within a first field of view, a narrow-field sensor includes a tracking portion and a control portion configured to receive laser communications from a second set of laser communications sources within a second field of view, wherein the first field of view is larger than the second field of view, and wherein the second set of laser communications sources comprises at least a first source and a second source, and a redirection unit coupled to the narrow-field sensor configured to position the second field of view within the first field of view wherein the first receiving element is positioned in response to the first positioning signal for the first receiving element, and the second receiving element is positioned in response to the first positioning signal for the second receiving element.

Abstract: A communications terminal includes a first aperture configured to receive laser signals from ground laser sources, pick-off mirrors configured to receive laser signals from mobile laser sources, an optical assembly configured to receive the laser communications signals from ground laser sources and mobile laser sources, wherein the optical assembly is configured to focus laser signals onto a common focal plane, and laser receivers located at the focal plane configured to receive laser signals from at least one laser source at a time.

Abstract: Spacecraft network and communication method thereof. A spacecraft network includes a first server spacecraft disposed in a first server orbit, a first client spacecraft disposed in a first client orbit, and a wireless local area network formed between at least the first server spacecraft and the first client spacecraft. The wireless local area network includes at least one communication channel to transmit and receive spatial information, at least one receiver to receive a first communication signal including at least routing information, at least one routing system to determine a desired route, and one transmitter to transmit the first communication signal. The first client spacecraft is free from the at least one routing system, and the first server spacecraft includes one of the at least one routing system.

Abstract: Intra-cluster and inter-cluster satellite network and communication method thereof. A satellite network includes a plurality of satellites disposed in one or a plurality of orbits, and a first wireless network formed between each of the plurality of satellites. The first wireless network includes a communication channel to transmit and receive spatial information between at least two of the plurality of satellites. Additionally, the satellite network includes a second wireless network formed between each of the plurality of satellites. The second wireless network includes a receiver, a routing system, and a transmitter.

Abstract: A laser communications system includes a wide-field sensor, configured to detect a first set of laser communications sources within a first field of view, a narrow-field sensor includes a tracking portion and a control portion configured to receive laser communications from a second set of laser communications sources within a second field of view, wherein the first field of view is larger than the second field of view, and wherein the second set of laser communications sources comprises at least a first source and a second source, and a redirection unit coupled to the narrow-field sensor configured to position the second field of view within the first field of view wherein the first receiving element is positioned in response to the first positioning signal for the first receiving element, and the second receiving element is positioned in response to the first positioning signal for the second receiving element.

Abstract: Spacecraft network and communication method thereof. A spacecraft network includes a first server spacecraft disposed in a first server orbit, a first client spacecraft disposed in a first client orbit, and a wireless local area network formed between at least the first server spacecraft and the first client spacecraft. The wireless local area network includes at least one communication channel to transmit and receive spatial information, at least one receiver to receive a first communication signal including at least routing information, at least one routing system to determine a desired route, and one transmitter to transmit the first communication signal. The first client spacecraft is free from the at least one routing system, and the first server spacecraft includes one of the at least one routing system.

Abstract: A spacecraft structure formed of one or more interchangeable modules is disclosed. The modules have two planar surfaces that cooperate to form a cavity, in which spacecraft equipment is housed. The modules are movable from a substantially stacked configuration to a substantially planar configuration. The disclosed spacecraft structure results in an increased ability to dissipate heat, a facilitated integration and testing process, a facilitated servicing process, a more efficient operational environment, and a more efficient use of space. The spacecraft design results in reduced spacecraft manufacturing, test and integration time, which will reduce overall cost, compared to present designs. The spacecraft in deployed, substantially planar configuration can be oriented with a planar surface facing toward or away from Earth or any suitable orientation between these extremes.

Abstract: A recorder for recording and playing back information. The recorder is particularly useful in vehicles such as aircraft and space vehicles. The recorder has no moving parts and has a plurality of power levels. The recorder has the capability of detecting errors in its memory and to avoid using portions of the memory that have errors. The recorder has multiple channels that can be programmed for input or output use. On demand memory assignment capability permits maximum use of the memory array.

Abstract: The non-linear conductance and capacitance characteristics of electrically non-homogenous materials over a given frequency range are used to identify and analyze such materials.

Abstract: The non-linear conductance and capacitance characteristics of electrically non-homogeneous materials over a given frequency range are used to identify and analyze such materials.

Abstract: The type of conductor, its property, and if a metal, its type and cross-sectional area can be obtained from measurements made at different frequencies for the amount of unbalance created in a previously balanced stable coil detection system. The true resistive component is accurately measured and thus reflects only the voltage loss attributable to eddy currents caused by introduction of the test sample to the coil system. This voltage divided by corresponding applied frequency gives a curve which peaks at a frequency dependent upon type of conductor. For a metal this peak frequency is proportional to the samples resistivity divided by its cross-sectional area.