Abstract: An ion fusion engine for spacecraft having a water vapor ion-based thruster, and a boron vapor injector which injects boron vapor into an exhaust region of the ion thruster causing proton-boron fusion to occur and thereby provide additional afterburner thrust. In addition, a plurality of pulsed lasers are utilized to focus on focal regions of the exhaust region to catalyze boron fusion events, and post exhaust sensors to provide feedback for control systems.

Abstract: An ion fusion engine for spacecraft having a water vapor ion-based thruster, and a boron vapor injector which injects boron vapor into an exhaust region of the ion thruster causing proton-boron fusion to occur and thereby provide additional afterburner thrust. In addition, a plurality of pulsed lasers are utilized to focus on focal regions of the exhaust region to catalyze boron fusion events, and post exhaust sensors to provide feedback for control systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods can support a portable aperture array antenna system having a support structure of a substantially hemispherical geometry formed of a plurality of rigid linear elements. A membrane may be positioned upon an outer surface of the support structure. A plurality of antenna elements may be positioned coplanar to the membrane. A radio frequency transmission assembly may operate to couple output signals from the antenna elements into one or more signal-processing modules. The signal-processing modules may be configured to model the motion of two or more satellites, focus electromagnetic beams in the respective directions of the satellites, and steer the electromagnetic beams from horizon to horizon to follow the satellites simultaneously without motion of physical components.

Abstract: Systems and methods can support a plasma propulsion system. The system may include a thrust head comprising a plasma generator and a thrust generator. A propellant handling assembly may be directly coupled to the thrust head. The propellant handling assembly may comprise a manifold and a plurality of valves. A propellant storage vessel may be directly coupled to the propellant handling assembly. A propulsion control module may be operable to receive inputs associated with the plasma propulsion system, generate control outputs associated with the plasma propulsion system, establish and train models relating the inputs and the control outputs, apply the inputs to the models to update the output parameters, and apply the output parameters to control the plasma propulsion system.

Abstract: Systems and methods can support a portable aperture array antenna system having a support structure of a substantially hemispherical geometry formed of a plurality of rigid linear elements. A membrane may be positioned upon an outer surface of the support structure. A plurality of antenna elements may be positioned coplanar to the membrane. A radio frequency transmission assembly may operate to couple output signals from the antenna elements into one or more signal-processing modules. The signal-processing modules may be configured to model the motion of two or more satellites, focus electromagnetic beams in the respective directions of the satellites, and steer the electromagnetic beams from horizon to horizon to follow the satellites simultaneously without motion of physical components.