The present invention relates to a resident space object orbit determination system comprising a high efficiency module for determining a resident space object's orbit and a highly efficient method for determining same. Applicants developed a method and system to determine the orbits of residence space objects including resident space objects that do not reflect energy that is directed at them and/or may be coated to minimize the ability to accurately see such resident space objects. Thus, a method, a module and a system for making such determinations that can easily and inexpensively be added to an early warning reentry system is provided.

Exemplary embodiments described herein may include lightweight, low stow volume solar concentrator.

Exemplary embodiments described herein may include lightweight, low stow volume solar concentrator.

A system and method for manufacturing a space-based component in space. The method includes collecting and capturing space debris directly from and suspended in space, heating the collected space debris using solar radiation in a manner that separately and independently melts different constituent elements and compounds in the space debris, collecting the different constituent elements and compounds as they are being separately melted, storing the elements and compounds in a molten, solid or vapor form, and fabricating the space-based component using the stored elements and compounds.

Methods for producing oxide/metal composite components for use in high temperature systems, and components produced thereby. The methods use a fluid reactant and a porous preform that contains a solid oxide reactant. The fluid reactant contains yttrium as a displacing metal and the solid oxide reactant of the preform contains niobium oxide, of which niobium cations are displaceable species. The preform is infiltrated with the fluid reactant to react its yttrium with the niobium oxide of the solid oxide reactant and produce an yttria/niobium composite component, during which yttrium at least partially replaces the niobium cations of the solid oxide reactant to produce yttria and niobium metal, which together define a reaction product. The pore volume of the preform is at least partially filled by the reaction product, whose volume is greater than the volume lost by the solid oxide reactant as a result of reacting yttrium and niobium oxide.

Methods for producing oxide/metal composite components for use in high temperature systems, and components produced thereby. The methods use a fluid reactant and a porous preform that contains a solid oxide reactant. The fluid reactant contains yttrium as a displacing metal and the solid oxide reactant of the preform contains niobium oxide, of which niobium cations are displaceable species. The preform is infiltrated with the fluid reactant to react its yttrium with the niobium oxide of the solid oxide reactant and produce an yttria/niobium composite component, during which yttrium at least partially replaces the niobium cations of the solid oxide reactant to produce yttria and niobium metal, which together define a reaction product. The pore volume of the preform is at least partially filled by the reaction product, whose volume is greater than the volume lost by the solid oxide reactant as a result of reacting yttrium and niobium oxide.

A lattice system for structures includes a lattice joint housing and a plurality of structural joints. Each of the plurality of structural joints have a side entry slot for insertion of keyed features on a mating lattice member. Each of the plurality of structural joints are configured to facilitate rotation of the mating lattice member, semi-permanently holding the mating lattice member in place with an electro-permanent magnetic (EPM) retaining device.

A lattice system for structures includes a lattice joint housing and a plurality of structural joints. Each of the plurality of structural joints have a side entry slot for insertion of keyed features on a mating lattice member. Each of the plurality of structural joints are configured to facilitate rotation of the mating lattice member, semi-permanently holding the mating lattice member in place with an electro-permanent magnetic (EPM) retaining device.

A satellite is disclosed, including a body and a communication device attached to the body. The body has an additively manufactured external wall structure at least partially forming an enclosed compartment, and the communication device is configured to receive and transmit data while in space.

A satellite is disclosed, including a body and a communication device attached to the body. The body has an additively manufactured external wall structure at least partially forming an enclosed compartment, and the communication device is configured to receive and transmit data while in space.