A mobile image pickup device includes an imaging unit (20), an acceleration and angular velocity detecting unit, a processing unit that processes acceleration and angular velocity information which is detected by the acceleration and angular velocity detecting unit, a reaction wheel that rotates based on a command value which is calculated by the processing unit, and a housing (10) that accommodates the imaging unit (20), the acceleration and angular velocity detecting unit, the processing unit, and the reaction wheel therein.

A servicing system for on-orbit spacecrafts is disclosed. The system comprises a servicing or host spacecraft configured to perform on-orbit servicing of client spacecrafts. The servicing spacecraft comprises a dedicated, deployable, boom having capture and docking mechanisms. The capture mechanism comprises a plurality of capture arms attached to a grounding structure. In one embodiment, the capture arms are kinematically linked and are free to rotate with respect to the grounding structure using a single actuator, thereby synchronizing the rotation of the arms for any angular displacement of the actuator, thus the arms form a circle that is concentric with the boom axis. In a second embodiment, there are two sets of capture arms, with the arms in each set kinematically linked and independently actuated; thus, the two sets cooperatively form different grasping geometries. Further, the docking mechanism is configured to enable the host spacecraft to dock with the client spacecraft. The servicing spacecraft may also be configured to carry a robotic arm and a suite of end-effectors that can be automatically changed out on-orbit. The suite of end-effectors may include one configured with the disclosed capture mechanism, and another may be configured with the disclosed docking mechanism.

A servicing system for on-orbit spacecrafts is disclosed. The system comprises a servicing or host spacecraft configured to perform on-orbit servicing of client spacecrafts. The servicing spacecraft comprises a dedicated, deployable, boom having capture and docking mechanisms. The capture mechanism comprises a plurality of capture arms attached to a grounding structure. In one embodiment, the capture arms are kinematically linked and are free to rotate with respect to the grounding structure using a single actuator, thereby synchronizing the rotation of the arms for any angular displacement of the actuator, thus the arms form a circle that is concentric with the boom axis. In a second embodiment, there are two sets of capture arms, with the arms in each set kinematically linked and independently actuated; thus, the two sets cooperatively form different grasping geometries. Further, the docking mechanism is configured to enable the host spacecraft to dock with the client spacecraft. The servicing spacecraft may also be configured to carry a robotic arm and a suite of end-effectors that can be automatically changed out on-orbit. The suite of end-effectors may include one configured with the disclosed capture mechanism, and another may be configured with the disclosed docking mechanism.

Certain embodiments of the inventive technology may be described as apparatus for melting and reshaping metal from a first shape into a second shape in a microgravity or zero gravity environment, such as a space foundry, where such apparatus includes feedstock input componentry (5) configured to accept conductive metal feedstock (7) having the first shape, a furnace and a furnace pre-stage (22) established upflow of the furnace, a plurality of electromagnetic field generators (10), each of which is configured to generate an electromagnetic field, to, e.g., steer, melt and/or move the metal, whether melt or otherwise, and casting componentry (15) configured to reshape molten metal to the second shape. Certain embodiments may achieve a high degree of control over electromagnetic fields by offering individual adjustment of one or more electrical parameters of the electromagnetic field generators (10).

Certain embodiments of the inventive technology may be described as apparatus for melting and reshaping metal from a first shape into a second shape in a microgravity or zero gravity environment, such as a space foundry, where such apparatus includes feedstock input componentry (5) configured to accept conductive metal feedstock (7) having the first shape, a furnace and a furnace pre-stage (22) established upflow of the furnace, a plurality of electromagnetic field generators (10), each of which is configured to generate an electromagnetic field, to, e.g., steer, melt and/or move the metal, whether melt or otherwise, and casting componentry (15) configured to reshape molten metal to the second shape. Certain embodiments may achieve a high degree of control over electromagnetic fields by offering individual adjustment of one or more electrical parameters of the electromagnetic field generators (10).

An on-orbit recycling method for a buffer foam of a cargo spacecraft includes the following steps: mechanically cutting a shaped PU foam into foam micro-blocks, and putting the foam micro-blocks into a packaging bag for packaging, where the packaging bag is filled with a foaming adhesive; the foaming adhesive includes a component A and a component B, which are independently packaged in a two-component packaging bag; and the component A and the component B are separated by a film; and squeezing the film between the component A and the component B, such that the two components are fully mixed, foamed and expanded to finally burst the two-component packaging bag, where after the packaging bag is burst, the foaming adhesive expands into gaps of the foam micro-blocks; and in a microgravity state of space, the foaming adhesive expands and fills uniformly in all directions and fully infiltrates the foam micro-blocks.

An on-orbit recycling method for a buffer foam of a cargo spacecraft includes the following steps: mechanically cutting a shaped PU foam into foam micro-blocks, and putting the foam micro-blocks into a packaging bag for packaging, where the packaging bag is filled with a foaming adhesive; the foaming adhesive includes a component A and a component B, which are independently packaged in a two-component packaging bag; and the component A and the component B are separated by a film; and squeezing the film between the component A and the component B, such that the two components are fully mixed, foamed and expanded to finally burst the two-component packaging bag, where after the packaging bag is burst, the foaming adhesive expands into gaps of the foam micro-blocks; and in a microgravity state of space, the foaming adhesive expands and fills uniformly in all directions and fully infiltrates the foam micro-blocks.

A component assembly for a space environment includes a main body, and a plurality of main body openings in the main body. Each main body opening has an identical cross-sectional shape. A plurality of inserts are installed to the main body at respective main body openings of the plurality of main body openings. Each insert of the plurality of inserts defines a fluid port for a fluid flow to flow into the main body or out of the main body via the respective main body openings. At least two fluid ports have a different cross-sectional configuration.

A component assembly for a space environment includes a main body, and a plurality of main body openings in the main body. Each main body opening has an identical cross-sectional shape. A plurality of inserts are installed to the main body at respective main body openings of the plurality of main body openings. Each insert of the plurality of inserts defines a fluid port for a fluid flow to flow into the main body or out of the main body via the respective main body openings. At least two fluid ports have a different cross-sectional configuration.

A two-degree-of-freedom decoupled transmission apparatus for a spatial adhesion pawl mainly includes a tangential loading transmission mechanism and a normal de-adhesion transmission mechanism. The tangential loading transmission mechanism adopts a bevel gear pair, such that the tangential loading transmission mechanism is arranged in a bending manner, and a tangential loading motor of the tangential loading transmission mechanism is collected inside the apparatus. The tangential loading motor is connected to a cam pull plate through the bevel gear pair, a worm gear reducer and a key, and drive the cam pull plate to rotate around a central shaft of an adhesion apparatus. Six transmission bolts on six adhesion units are respectively driven through six cam grooves on the cam pull plate to simultaneously perform centripetal driving on the adhesion units with a further increased force, so as to realize tangential and centripetal loading of the adhesion units.