Abstract: An apparatus includes a primary device, a secondary device, and an umbilical system. The umbilical system comprises an umbilical linking the primary device and the secondary device, and a control system configured alter a directionality of the umbilical during deployment of the secondary device away from the primary device by at least controlling a configuration of a shape memory material comprising the umbilical.

Abstract: A Hall thruster for use with a condensable propellant including a plasma accelerator including an anode for providing plasma discharge, a distributor for distributing the condensable propellant in a liquid or vaporized state, and an electric circuit including a cathode for emitting electrons attracted to the anode and for neutralizing ion flux emitted from the plasma accelerator. A condensable propellant feed system includes a storage vessel for storing the condensable propellant and providing liquid condensable propellant at a controlled pressure. A condensable propellant flow controller includes a pressure reducing device for controlling the flow rate of the liquid condensable propellant. A vaporizer at or above the vaporization temperature of the liquid condensable propellant vaporizes the liquid condensable propellant at a predetermined vaporization rate and flow rate.

Abstract: An electrospray source useful for a variety of applications and including an emitter with a porous media flow distributor having a surface forming multiple Taylor cones. A casing about the porous media flow distributor controls the direction of a working fluid through the porous media. An extractor is at a potential different than the emitter for forming the Taylor cones. A guard electrode is disposed between the emitter and the extractor and is at or above the potential of the emitter for shaping the electric field formed between the emitter and the extractor.

Abstract: An electrospray source useful for a variety of applications and including an emitter with a porous media flow distributor having a surface forming multiple Taylor cones. A casing about the porous media flow distributor controls the direction of a working fluid through the porous media. An extractor is at a potential different than the emitter for forming the Taylor cones. A guard electrode is disposed between the emitter and the extractor and is at or above the potential of the emitter for shaping the electric field formed between the emitter and the extractor.

Abstract: An air/atmosphere breathing electrically powered Hall effect thruster including a thruster duct having an inlet, an exit, and a discharge zone between the inlet and the exit for receiving air from the inlet into the discharge zone, an electrical circuit having a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode in the discharge zone for attracting the electrons from the cathode through the exit, and a magnetic circuit for establishing a magnetic field in the discharge zone radially across the duct between the anode and exit which creates an impedance to the flow of electrons toward the anode and enables ionization of the air/atmosphere moving through the discharge zone and which creates an axial electric field in the duct for accelerating ionized air/atmosphere through the exit to create thrust.

Abstract: An air/atmosphere breathing electrically powered Hall effect thruster including a thruster duct having an inlet, an exit, and a discharge zone between the inlet and the exit for receiving air from the inlet into the discharge zone, an electrical circuit having a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode in the discharge zone for attracting the electrons from the cathode through the exit, and a magnetic circuit for establishing a magnetic field in the discharge zone radially across the duct between the anode and exit which creates an impedance to the flow of electrons toward the anode and enables ionization of the air/atmosphere moving through the discharge zone and which creates an axial electric field in the duct for accelerating ionized air/atmosphere through the exit to create thrust.