Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers. An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force from the primers into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive jet of gas into the shock tube, which ignites an explosive liner. An explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach into structures, remove obstacles and/or barriers, or other applications.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers. An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force from the primers into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive jet of gas into the shock tube, which ignites an explosive liner. An explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach into structures, remove obstacles and/or barriers, or other applications.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a roll of a tape that can be extended from a rolled state to an extended state. The tape includes a rigid material that supports the tape and a pliable material disposed at least partially on one side of the tape. A compression roller is disposed on a side of the tape and is biased toward the tape. A drive roller is disposed on the other side of the tape. The drive roller comprises an uneven surface that mechanically engages the pliable material of the tape, without protruding through the tape, as a result of the bias of the compression roller forcing the tape toward the drive roller. A motor turns the drive roller to extend the tape from the roll as the protrusions of the uneven surface of the drive roller mechanically engage the pliable material of the tape as the drive roller turns.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers (percussion caps). An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and the detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive wave into the adapter, which channels the wave into the shock tube and ignites the shock tube. The explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach structures or other applications.

Abstract: A panel structure for use in a deployable and cantilevered solar array structure is provided. A panel includes first and second planar panel sections and an intermediate panel section connecting the first and second sections. The planar panel sections are capable of being situated with respect to one another so as to have a V-tent-like shape when the panel is in a deployed state and to be coplanar when the panel is in a stowed state. When in the V-tent-like shape, the intermediate section of the panel extends in a straight line that is collinear or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cantilevered solar array structure when deployed. The V-tent-like shape produces A panel structure that has a relatively high moment of inertia, is stiff, and can provide a large area for supporting solar cells.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers. An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force from the primers into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive jet of gas into the shock tube, which ignites an explosive liner. An explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach into structures, remove obstacles and/or barriers, or other applications.

Abstract: An explosive detonating system comprises connectable components to connect/disconnect a pathway that ignites an explosion. A firing actuator activates primers (percussion caps). An adapter connects the firing actuator to shock tube and channels the ignition force into the shock tube. A cap box houses blasting caps coupled to the end of the shock tube. A priming well is coupled to the cap box/blasting caps and the detonating cord. When the firing actuator is initiated, the percussion caps ignite, sending an explosive wave into the adapter, which channels the wave into the shock tube and ignites the shock tube. The explosive wave travels through the shock tube and activates the blasting caps, which activate the detonating cord in the priming well. The explosive is placed in a location to provide a desired explosive effect. For example, the system may be employed as a system to breach structures or other applications.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a roll of a tape that can be extended from a rolled state to an extended state. The tape includes a rigid material that supports the tape and a pliable material disposed at least partially on one side of the tape. A compression roller is disposed on a side of the tape and is biased toward the tape. A drive roller is disposed on the other side of the tape. The drive roller comprises an uneven surface that mechanically engages the pliable material of the tape, without protruding through the tape, as a result of the bias of the compression roller forcing the tape toward the drive roller. A motor turns the drive roller to extend the tape from the roll as the protrusions of the uneven surface of the drive roller mechanically engage the pliable material of the tape as the drive roller turns.

Abstract: A Deployable Morphing Modular Solar Array (DMMSA) for deploying Deployable Morphing Modular Solar Power Assemblies (DMMSPAs) from a spacecraft is provided. The DMMSA comprises a Root Staging and Deployment Mechanism (RSDM) mounted to a spacecraft. A plurality of petal assemblies are rotatably secured to the RSDM with each petal assembly having at least DMMSPA secured thereon and each DMMSPA having a slight V-configuration. A launch restraint assembly stacks and sandwiches the petal assemblies prior to deployment with the launch restraint assembly pre-loading each petal assembly's one or more DMMSPA into a substantially flat configuration. Upon release of the launch restraint assembly, the stacked and sandwiched petal assemblies rotate relative to the spacecraft and each petal assemblies DMMSPA elastically morphs from the substantially flat configuration into the slight V-configuration.

Abstract: An outer space deployable boom system is formed of a plurality of interconnected longeron members that are linked by diagonal members and batten frames. The diagonal members are arranged in a unique K-type configuration that provides a predictable and orderly folding dynamic as the boom system transitions from a stowed state to a deployed state.