Abstract: A method of establishing a formation of a plurality of directionally fixed satellites, such as primary formation of the satellites with in-track velocity disparity. The plurality of satellites includes an anchor satellite and at least one non-anchor satellite, each satellite of the plurality of satellites including at least one drag flap, each satellite of the plurality of satellites being free of one of a propulsion system and an expendable mass propellant. Control is applied to deploy the at least one drag flap of the at least one non-anchor satellite based on the current spacing and the current separation rate of the each non-anchor satellite, and the predicted final spacing of the plurality of satellites. The final spacing predicting and the drag flap control applying is repeated until the current separation rate has been nulled to within a threshold value.

Abstract: Improved orbit/covariance estimation and analysis (OCEAN) system and method are presented utilizing ground station observations collected from satellites passing overhead to estimate the positions, velocities, and other parameters of multiple satellites using weighted least squares (WLS) batch and/or Kalman filter smoothing (KFS) estimation algorithms to estimate each parameter, with or without a priori knowledge of the errors involved with each observed parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a post assembly (10) for use in constructing a cage or enclosure (20). The posts assembly (10) of the present invention provide a structural member for forming a cage (20) which can be used in a variety of situations. The posts (10) can be installed onto any trailer irrespective of their size or alternatively the enclosure can be free standing. The posts (10) can also accommodate walls of various heights and thicknesses. In a preferred embodiment the post assembly (10) includes a first and second longitudinally extending body portions (66) and (68) having respective passageways (76), an arm (40) adapted to engage coaxially aligned passageways (76) of respective first and second longitudinally extending body portions, wherein the post assembly (10) is adapted to releasably engage adjacent wall portions (22) such that the walls portions (22) are held in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a post assembly (10) for use in constructing a cage or enclosure (20). The posts assembly (10) of the present invention provide a structural member for forming a cage (20) which can be used in a variety of situations. The posts (10) can be installed onto any trailer irrespective of their size or alternatively the enclosure can be free standing. The posts (10) can also accommodate walls of various heights and thicknesses. In a preferred embodiment the post assembly (10) includes a first and second longitudinally extending body portions (66) and (68) having respective passageways (76), an arm (40) adapted to engage coaxially aligned passageways (76) of respective first and second longitudinally extending body portions, wherein the post assembly (10) is adapted to releasably engage adjacent wall portions (22) such that the walls portions (22) are held in a substantially upright position.