An example system for extraterrestrial deployment of a flexible membrane surface includes a flexible membrane having a periphery and an interior. The flexible membrane is rolled about a roll axis into a cylindrical geometric shape in an undeployed state. A payload base has extendable radial booms, wherein the distal end of each extendable radial boom is attached to the periphery of the flexible membrane and the interior of the flexible membrane is free of attachment to the extendable radial booms. The payload base and the extendable radial booms are positioned to one side of the flexible membrane along the roll axis. The extendable radial booms are configured to extend orthogonally to the roll axis from the payload base to unroll the flexible membrane about the roll axis to form the flexible membrane surface in a deployed state, wherein the roll axis is substantially orthogonal to the flexible membrane surface.

Systems, devices, and methods for precision boom deployment are provided in accordance with various embodiments. The tools and techniques provided may have space and/or terrestrial applications. Some embodiments include a boom deployment system that may include a furlable boom. Some embodiments include: boom reinforcement devices, end fitting devices, contoured support devices, edge support devices, spiral harness devices, latch devices, combined boom spool and tension drive devices, and/or rotary encoder devices. Some embodiments may utilize a composite slit-tube boom. Some embodiments utilize a furlable boom that may be fabricated with curvature along its length.

An extendible mast (1) for deploying equipment comprises a composite member formed from plural fibre reinforced layers (75) laminated together in a matrix material in the form of a shell that is constructed and arranged so as to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. When extended the member is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length formed by longitudinal edges of the member. One or more electrical conductors (50) extend along at least part of the longitudinal extent of the member for making connection to the equipment. The conductors are integrated between two or more layers within the laminate.

A rollable antenna mat for sports timing comprises one or more planar antenna structures connected to one or more transmission lines for conveying signals to and/or from the one or more planar antenna structures. Each of the one or more planar antenna structures comprises a conductive plate positioned above a conductive ground plane. A spacer element is positioned between the conductive ground plane and the conductive plate. The planar antenna structure is configured to generate a radiation field having a main axis that is substantially perpendicular to the conductive plate. The planar antenna structure and a transmission line is embedded in a flexible elongated sheet structure of one or more elastomeric materials, and comprises the embedded one or more planar antenna structures being suitable to be rolled up in a roll, the axis of the roll being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible elongated sheet structure.

A space-based phased antenna array provides one- or two-dimensional beam steering, yet is compact upon launch and does not require gravity to maintain its shape or orientation. An exemplary antenna array includes a central satellite and at least three peripheral satellites. Each peripheral satellite is mechanically connected to the central satellite by an extendible tether. At launch, the tethers are retracted, so the peripheral satellites are close to, or within, the central satellite. Once in position, the central satellite rotates and extends the tethers, thereby deploying the peripheral satellites in a planar radial pattern. Multiple antenna elements, some disposed on each tether, collectively form a planar phased array that can be electronically beam steered in two dimensions. The antenna array may relay signals, such as between local companion satellites or planet-based stations, and earth. Linear versions, with as few as two tethered satellites, are beam steerable in one dimension.

Systems and methods for autonomously operating an antenna assembly. The methods comprise: obtaining, by a processor of the antenna assembly, first information comprising at least one of a value for a variable altitude of the antenna assembly, a value for a variable height of the antenna assembly above ground, a value for a variable height of the antenna assembly above sea level, a value for a variable distance of the antenna assembly from a reference object, and a first value for a variable signal frequency of a communication device; using, by the processor, the information to obtain a desired length of an antenna of the antenna assembly; and controlling, by the processor, an actuator to adjust a length of the antenna until the length reaches the desired length.

A space-based phased antenna array provides one- or two-dimensional beam steering, yet is compact upon launch and does not require gravity to maintain its shape or orientation. An exemplary antenna array includes a central satellite and at least three peripheral satellites. Each peripheral satellite is mechanically connected to the central satellite by an extendible tether. At launch, the tethers are retracted, so the peripheral satellites are close to, or within, the central satellite. Once in position, the central satellite rotates and extends the tethers, thereby deploying the peripheral satellites in a planar radial pattern. Multiple antenna elements, some disposed on each tether, collectively form a planar phased array that can be electronically beam steered in two dimensions. The antenna array may relay signals, such as between local companion satellites or planet-based stations, and earth. Linear versions, with as few as two tethered satellites, are beam steerable in one dimension.

A space-based phased antenna array provides one- or two-dimensional beam steering, yet is compact upon launch and does not require gravity to maintain its shape or orientation. An exemplary antenna array includes a central satellite and at least three peripheral satellites. Each peripheral satellite is mechanically connected to the central satellite by an extendible tether. At launch, the tethers are retracted, so the peripheral satellites are close to, or within, the central satellite. Once in position, the central satellite rotates and extends the tethers, thereby deploying the peripheral satellites in a planar radial pattern. Multiple antenna elements, some disposed on each tether, collectively form a planar phased array that can be electronically beam steered in two dimensions. The antenna array may relay signals, such as between local companion satellites or planet-based stations, and earth. Linear versions, with as few as two tethered satellites, are beam steerable in one dimension.

A retractable antenna assembly includes a planar antenna and a retraction mechanism. The planar antenna is affixed to the retraction mechanism and is selectively extendable and retractable therefrom. The planar antenna includes an antenna element having one or more antenna element segments. The retraction mechanism includes an elongated main body that is operatively coupled to at least two end brackets that mount the retraction mechanism to a supporting structure. The elongated main body includes a tubular sidewall having an outer surface that defines an interior space in which a cable and a preamplifier circuit are situated.

An antenna assembly and related methods are described. The antenna assembly (1) comprises an extendible mast (2) constructed and arranged so as to be configurable between a coiled form and an extended form. The extended mast (2) is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length. The coiled mast is wound about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the mast. An antenna (6) is integrally coupled to the mast such that when extended, the mast supports and positions the antenna, and when coiled, the mast and antenna are coiled together.