Abstract: A device for launching using compressed fluid, comprises: a projectile, a barrel having two ends, the projectile being positioned inside the barrel, a first of the two ends allowing the compressed fluid to enter the barrel, a second of the two ends allowing the projectile to leave, a reservoir of compressed fluid connected to the first of the two ends of the barrel. A connecting device comprises a first tape, able to make the transition from a configuration in which it is wound about an axis Z around a support to a configuration in which it is deployed along an axis X substantially perpendicular to the axis Z, the tape having an end fixed to the projectile, and wherein the support is fixed in the barrel.

Abstract: A control system comprises sources of supply, in terms of power and in terms of control signals, capable of equally piloting each of the electric thrusters and further comprises a switching device capable of linking any one of the sources of supply to any one of the electric thrusters. The switching device comprises a rotary main roller divided into a number of angular segments comprising input and output conductive tracks and pre-wired electrical networks linking the input conductive tracks to the output conductive tracks of each angular segment, the pre-wired electrical networks associated with the different angular segments all being different and dedicated to different configurations for the piloting of the electric thrusters by the sources of supply.

Abstract: An aiming assembly comprising an instrument and aiming device, the aiming device comprises: a frame, a mobile part comprising a plate, the instrument being fixed onto the plate, the mobile part and the instrument having a centre of gravity, the mobile part being rotationally mobile relative to the frame on a first axis of rotation, and comprising a support configured to cooperate with the plate to allow the plate to be rotationally mobile relative to the frame about a second axis of rotation at right angles to the first axis of rotation, and rotationally mobile relative to the frame on the first axis, the first and second axes of rotation intersecting at a point of intersection. The point of intersection coincides with the centre of gravity of the mobile part and of the instrument, and the support comprises a flexible part configured to compensate for the differential expansions on the second axis of rotation between the frame and the plate.

Abstract: In the transmission of mechanical movements, a mechanical angular positioning device is provided, and applies notably to optical instruments necessary to position an element such as a mirror according to three predefined positions. The angular positioning device comprises an assembly of connecting rods and an assembly of pivot connections, the axes of which are parallel to one another. A first input connecting rod, a second output connecting rod and a third connecting rod are in pivot connection with a frame of the device. A fourth and a fifth connecting rod are each connected by two pivot connections to two other connecting rods. The input connecting rod can be rotated by a motor. The angular positioning device is configured such that the output connecting rod can adopt three distinct angular positions, for each of which two connecting rods in pivot connection with one another generate a dead center in the device.

Abstract: A tape having a fully wound stable state and a fully unwound stable state, configured for space applications, the intermediate states between the fully wound state and the fully unwound state comprises a single continuous portion of wound tape with a first radius of curvature greater than a threshold value and a single continuous portion of unwound tape with a second radius of curvature less than the threshold value, the value of the second radius of curvature being continuous over the unwound portio; the tape comprises a stack comprising fibrous layers extending in a longitudinal direction, the resulting stack having symmetry with respect to a longitudinal plane of its fibres to compensate for torsional deformations generated by variations in temperature.

Abstract: A projectile extending along an axis X between two ends, the projectile being positioned in a barrel of substantially cylindrical shape of axis X is provided. The projectile comprises: a hollow part at its centre, opening onto a first of the two ends of the projectile to receive a compressed fluid, a plurality of vents passing through the projectile from the hollow part substantially perpendicular to the axis X and with a substantially radial outlet to expel the compressed fluid substantially at a tangent to the projectile. The invention also relates to the barrel and to a launch device comprising a projectile and a barrel.

Abstract: A device for launching using compressed fluid, comprises: a projectile, a barrel having two ends, the projectile being positioned inside the barrel, a first of the two ends allowing the compressed fluid to enter the barrel, a second of the two ends allowing the projectile to leave, a reservoir of compressed fluid connected to the first of the two ends of the barrel. A connecting device comprises a first tape, able to make the transition from a configuration in which it is wound about an axis Z around a support to a configuration in which it is deployed along an axis X substantially perpendicular to the axis Z, the tape having an end fixed to the projectile, and wherein the support is fixed in the barrel.

Abstract: A deployable structure comprises: a mount comprising a first point and a second point opposite and a third point, a storage reel able to rotate about an axis Z, a tape spring able to switch from a configuration in which it is wound about the axis Z in the storage reel into a configuration in which it is deployed along an axis X substantially perpendicular to the axis Z, the first and second points forming a double support with the tape spring to keep the tape spring in the deployed configuration. The third point is able to form a simple support with the tape spring, the storage reel is able to move with respect to the third point and the storage reel is pressed against the third point to guide the deployment of the tape spring.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a space object in space comprises an articulated structure, wherein the articulated structure comprises a single actuator configured to control, equally, the deployment of the structure in space, the gripping of the space object and the folding down of the articulated structure. Developments describe the use of a fixed supporting structure, a threaded rod, a tapped whorl guided by the threaded rod and a set of articulated bars held by pivot links at their interfaces on the tapped whorl and on the fixed supporting structure. Various mechanical configurations are described, notably gripping devices comprising rollers for locking and/or unlocking the space object by separation of the articulated bars. A method of regulation, of control and of adjustment of the manipulation is provided.

Abstract: In precision mechanical actuators, wherein a high precision stepping motor can notably be used in the actuating mechanisms of artificial satellites, a stepping motor comprises two rotors that rotate in opposite directions to generate a low-amplitude movement between one of the rotors and a stator. The first rotor comprises a first set of teeth distributed at a first pitch p1 and a second set of teeth distributed at a second pitch p2. The stator comprises N stator contacts comprising a plurality a of teeth distributed at the pitch p1, distributed at a third pitch equal to p1(a+1/N), and able to cooperate with the teeth of the first set. The second rotor comprises N rotor contacts comprising a plurality b of teeth distributed at the pitch p2, distributed at a fourth pitch equal to p1(b+1/N), and able to cooperate with the teeth of the second set of the first rotor.

Abstract: A motorization device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, and at least one longitudinal linking element able to maintain a predetermined distance between the winding cylinders and wound around winding tracks, the linking element consequently having a crossing point located between the winding cylinders. The motorization device includes two flexible tracks, fixed on each of the winding cylinders and arranged to face and to touch eachother at the contact point, a pre-stressing force being applied to the contact point under the effect of said linking element. The flexible tracks are spiral shaped and arranged such that the contact point between the two spiral-shaped flexible tracks, located between the winding cylinders, is offset relative to the crossing point of the linking element, such that a torque dependent on the distance between the contact point and the crossing point is applied to the contact point, causing reciprocal rotation of the flexible tracks.

Abstract: A deployable mast with spontaneous autonomous deployment comprises at least one elementary structural block with a longitudinal axis of deployment X, the elementary structural block comprising two, respectively lower and upper platforms parallel to a plane YZ orthogonal to axis X, and N stages stacked on one another parallel to axis X, where N is more than 1, and where i is between 1 and N?1. Each stage comprises at least six flexible longitudinal connection arms which are articulated by tape springs, which arms are, in the deployed position, on planes parallel to axis X and are inclined relative to axis X, the N stages being secured to one another in pairs by means of connection platforms parallel to the plane YZ; two adjacent lower and upper stages are offset angularly relative to one another by rotation around the axis of deployment X.

Abstract: A retractable tape spring in-building method for a deployable structure comprising a main tape spring having an axis of deployment and of refurling substantially parallel to an unfurled axis X and comprising two ends, a secondary tape spring comprising two ends and a winding mandrel carried by a shaft parallel to an axis Z perpendicular to the axis X, the main tape spring being wound around the mandrel, a first end of the main tape spring being fixed to the mandrel, the method comprising the following steps: fixing a first end of the secondary tape spring a predefined distance away from a second end of the main tape spring, fixing a second end of the secondary tape spring on the mandrel. A deployable structure comprising a tape spring for a flexible structure is also provided.

Abstract: A deployable structure comprises: a support, a tape spring fixed to the support, able to pass from a wound configuration wound about an axis Z, to a deployed configuration, and a mobile arm able to rotate with respect to the support about the Z-axis, able to form a first contact with the tape spring so as to control the deployment of the tape spring.

Abstract: A motorization device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, at least one longitudinal link element to maintain a predetermined distance between the cylinders, and wound around said winding tracks, the link element consequently having a crossover point between the winding cylinders, two flexible tracks fixed to the winding cylinders and arranged facing and in contact with one another at the point of contact, a winding cylinder and flexible track assembly forming a fitting, a prestressing force being applied at the point of contact under the effect of the link element. The flexible tracks have a spiral form configured that the point of contact between the two flexible tracks in spiral form, situated between said winding cylinders, is offset relative to the crossover point, such that a torque dependent on the distance between the point of contact and the crossover point is applied, to provoke the mutual rotation of the fittings.

Abstract: A rolling hinge device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, longitudinal link element-forming winding means, the winding means being able to maintain a predetermined distance between the winding cylinders and being wound around winding cylinders, and at least two flexible tracks, a flexible track being fixed to each winding cylinder, the flexible tracks being arranged facing one another and having a point of contact, a prestressing force being applied at said point of contact of the flexible tracks under the effect of the winding means. At least one flexible track comprises at least one slot produced over at least a part of its length, the slot delimiting a plurality of flexible beam sections of determined profiles.

Abstract: In the transmission of mechanical movements, a mechanical angular positioning device is provided, and applies to optical instruments to position an element like a mirror according to three predefined positions. The angular positioning device comprises a frame and two imbricated mechanical movement transmission assemblies. The first assembly comprises a first support in pivot connection with the frame according to a first axis, which is rotatable by a first motor via two connecting rods which generate two dead centers for the first support. The second mechanical assembly comprises a second support in pivot connection with the first support, according to a second axis, not parallel with first axis. This second support is rotatable by a second motor via two connecting rods which generate two dead centers for the second support. One of the dead centers of the first support can coincide with one of the dead centers of the second support.

Abstract: A self-driven articulation designed for automatically deploying the elements that it connects including two articulation fittings made to rotate under the action of at least one passive drive element. The articulation includes at least one flexible duct for regulating the speed at which it deploys.

Abstract: A protection device for an optical instrument of a satellite including a body on which the optical instrument is mounted, the optical instrument including a central mirror and peripheral mirrors reflecting light towards the central mirror, said protection device having a folded position and a deployed position, includes a plurality of panels rigid in the deployed position, the device forming a cellular structure including a tube for each peripheral mirror, the section of the tubes being a polygon, the tubes being disposed in such a manner as to protect the peripheral mirrors against stray illumination, and said panels being held against the body of the satellite in the folded position.

Abstract: In the field of antenna reflectors with a deformable reflecting surface, an actuation system, with which such a reflector may be equipped wherein the reflector includes a chassis, a flexible membrane fixed to the chassis, comprises: a support fixed to the chassis, a set of deformation devices, each deformation device including a pusher element adapted to be driven in translation relative to the support along an axis, the pusher element including a part adapted to come into contact with the flexible membrane at a point to deform it, an actuation device adapted to drive the pusher element of one of the deformation devices in translation at the same time, and a selector device adapted to move the actuation device toward each of the deformation devices.