A window/seal and a satellite ground station antenna using the window/seal. A window/seal for a circular waveguide includes a right-circular cylindrical window having an axis, an annular rib surrounding and coaxial with the annular recess, and an annular recess between the cylindrical window and the annular rib. An outer diameter of the annular rib is configured to fit closely within an inside diameter of the circular waveguide.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a reconfigurable faceted reflector for producing a plurality of antenna patterns. The reconfigurable reflector includes a backing structure, a plurality of adjusting mechanisms mounted to the backing structure, and a plurality of reflector facets. Each of the plurality of reflector facets is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the position of the reflector facet with which it is coupled. The reflector facets are arranged to produce a first antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns. By adjusting the plurality of adjusting mechanisms, the position of each of the reflector facets coupled to the respective one of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms is adjusted so that the reflector facets are arranged to produce a second antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns.

Interplanetary networks for space internet and space positioning are presented. The described networks deploy spacecraft swarms along the solar system to form a science and communications platform. The disclosed network nodes are placed around planetary Lagrange points. Creation of optical synthetic apertures using smallsat swarms for inter- and intranet communications is further described. Exemplary subnetworks such as the cislunar network are also presented.

An apparatus is provided that includes: a multi-element reflector, each element comprising a concave reflective surface, the curvature of each element and focal distance of each element being common, the concave reflective surface of each element being configured to steer a radio-frequency beam in a different direction to that of the other elements; and a directional antenna feed, configurable to direct a beam towards each element of the multi-element reflector and positionable to be concurrently spaced said common focal distance from all of the elements of the multi-element reflector. One or more mechanisms are also provided by which, for example, a commercially viable millimeter wave base station can be realised. In particular, antenna arrangements are provided which support a field of view which facilitates establishment and maintenance of an effective communication link between a base station and a user with a desired level of reliability.

A microwave antenna is operated in a first operating state during an alignment operation for the microwave antenna system where the microwave antenna is configured to have a first beam width. Subsequent to the alignment operation, the microwave antenna is operated in a second operating state where the beam of the microwave antenna is configured to have a second beam width that is narrower than the first beam width.

A complex antenna configured to transmit or receive radio-frequency signals includes a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit. The first antenna unit is fixed to the second antenna unit with a first included angle, and the complex antenna does not have a closed annular structure.

Apparatus having at least one reflective surface configured to reflect electromagnetic waves, wherein a reflective response of at least one portion of the reflective surface with respect to the electromagnetic waves is electronically controllable, wherein the apparatus is configured to at least temporarily control the reflective response of the at least one portion of the reflective surface.

In one embodiment, a system includes an aircraft body and a propeller coupled to the aircraft body. The propeller includes a plurality of blades forming a rearward-facing curvature with respect to an axis running longitudinally with the aircraft body. The system further includes a surface coupled to a first blade of the propeller that is operable to reflect radio frequency (RF) waves.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a reconfigurable faceted reflector for producing a plurality of antenna patterns. The reconfigurable reflector includes a backing structure, a plurality of adjusting mechanisms mounted to the backing structure, and a plurality of reflector facets. Each of the plurality of reflector facets is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the position of the reflector facet with which it is coupled. The reflector facets are arranged to produce a first antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns. By adjusting the plurality of adjusting mechanisms, the position of each of the reflector facets coupled to the respective one of the plurality of adjusting mechanisms is adjusted so that the reflector facets are arranged to produce a second antenna pattern of the plurality of antenna patterns.

A latch for coupling a first object to a second object is disclosed comprises a primary block coupled to the first object. A locking cam is rotatably coupled to the primary block. A cam track having a sloped surface is in the locking cam. A locking stem slideably engages the primary block and traverses the locking cam. A cam pin is coupled to the locking stem. The cam pin slidably engages the sloped surface for displacing the locking stem between an extended position and a retracted position. A stem head is coupled to the cam pin. A secondary block is coupled to the second object. A cam channel is in the secondary block for receiving the locking stem. A head receiver is in the secondary block for engaging the stem head. The extended position defines an unlocked position and the retracted position defines a locked position.