Abstract: A cryogenic propellant depot and sunshield are provided for operation in earth orbit to fuel or refuel other space vehicles. The sunshield is deployed to effectively mitigate solar radiation emanating from the earth and the sun thereby providing a long term storage solution for cryogenic fluids prone to boil-off. The depot has supporting subsystems to include station keeping equipment and communication equipment so that the depot can be independently controlled. Inflatable booms are used to deploy the sunshield in a desired pattern around the depot.

Abstract: A cryogenic propellant depot and sunshield are provided for operation in earth orbit to fuel or refuel other space vehicles. The sunshield is deployed to effectively mitigate solar radiation emanating from the earth and the sun thereby providing a long term storage solution for cryogenic fluids prone to boil-off. The depot has supporting subsystems to include station keeping equipment and communication equipment so that the depot can be independently controlled. Inflatable booms are used to deploy the sunshield in a desired pattern around the depot.

Abstract: A cryogenic propellant depot and sunshield are provided for operation in earth orbit to fuel or refuel other space vehicles. The sunshield is deployed to effectively mitigate solar radiation emanating from the earth and the sun thereby providing a long term storage solution for cryogenic fluids prone to boil-off. The depot has supporting subsystems to include station keeping equipment and communication equipment so that the depot can be independently controlled. Inflatable booms are used to deploy the sunshield in a desired pattern around the depot.

Abstract: A conductor splice and splice support structure and method of assembly for use with cable-in-conduit superconductor cable of the type having a plurality of spaced sub-cables each including stabilizer and superconductor strands in an annular tube. Two transition ramp members, each having a cross section varying from a first end conforming to the cable configuration to a second end having an enlarged, oval, configuration have a plurality of surface grooves each sized to hold one sub-cable. Between the two transition ramp members is provided a main support member having grooves aligned with the transition members grooves. The main support member grooves are sized to hold two overlapping sub-cables. Preferably, a braid of superconductor material is placed around the overlapping sub-cable ends. The space within the grooves surrounding the sub-cables is preferably filled with solder.

Abstract: A superconducting transmission line system for transferring electrical power over long distances. The system includes a superconducting transmission line extending from a first location where power is supplied to the line to a second location where electrical power is taken from the line. The line includes an inner tube, and a superconducting core positioned inside the tube and spaced from the inner surface of the tube. The core and the inner tube define a passageway for a cryogenic liquid, the boiling temperature of which is above the superconducting transition temperature of the core. The transmission line system also includes a number of spaced supports holding the transmission line with the portion of the transmission line extending between a pair of adjacent supports being lower than the parts of the line held by the pair of adjacent supports. A regenerator for the cryogenic liquid is mounted on each of the pair of supports.