A reprovisionable spacecraft and reprovisioning subassemblies for mating with a reprovisionable spacecraft are both described. The reprovisionable spacecraft has one or more mechanical, thermal, data, and or electrical mating interfaces for attaching, powering, and communicating with a reprovisioning subassembly, which for one embodiment is a self-contained thruster unit. The self-contained thruster unit preferably comprises a fuel tank, control electronics, and a thruster assembly. Alternately, a reprovisioning subassembly can comprise a fuel tank and control electronics, a fuel tank, or a thruster. Also, a reprovisionable spacecraft may be carried into orbit without reprovisioning subassemblies attached, and then deployed after reprovisioning subassemblies have been attached to their respective mating interfaces. Reprovisioning utilizing a self-contained thruster unit or tank eliminates the large risk associated with refueling satellites in space. Reprovisioning also eliminates the need for a dedicated attached life extension vehicle.

A hyperspectral stereoscopic CubeSat with computer vision and artificial intelligence capabilities consists of a device and a data processing methodology. The device comprises a number of VIS-NIR-TIR hyperspectral sensors, a central processor with memory, a supervisor system running independently of the imager system, radios, a solar panel and battery system, and an active attitude control system. The device is launched into low earth orbit to capture, process, and transmit stereoscopic hyperspectral imagery in the visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The processing methodology therein comprises computer vision and convolutional neural network algorithms to perform spectral feature identification and data transformations.

A method and a device for deorbiting artificial satellites from Earth orbit, the artificial satellite having multilayer insulation, at least partially detaches at least one layer of the multilayer insulation from the artificial satellite. Due to detachment of the layer, the underlying satellite structure is exposed to environmental influences. This exposure accelerates the self-disintegration of the artificial satellite, and thereby reduces the mass and increases the ballistic coefficient. Splaying out the layer augments its cross-sectional area and leads due to energy reduction to a premature re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. A number of layers can be arranged here so that regardless of a rotation of the satellite, at least one surface is always directed against the aerodynamic flow.

A method and a device for deorbiting artificial satellites from Earth orbit, the artificial satellite having multilayer insulation, at least partially detaches at least one layer of the multilayer insulation from the artificial satellite. Due to detachment of the layer, the underlying satellite structure is exposed to environmental influences. This exposure accelerates the self-disintegration of the artificial satellite, and thereby reduces the mass and increases the ballistic coefficient. Splaying out the layer augments its cross-sectional area and leads due to energy reduction to a premature re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. A number of layers can be arranged here so that regardless of a rotation of the satellite, at least one surface is always directed against the aerodynamic flow.

The invention relates to a method of tracking a target on an orbital trajectory by a spacecraft, the method comprising an acquisition phase which comprises the steps of activating a lidar, acquiring signals from the lidar system, determining target trajectory data from the lidar signals, wherein the spacecraft is engaged on a trajectory to approach or inspect the target, which trajectory is determined based on the target trajectory data, and if the target is no longer detected, activating a short-range detection phase, comprising activation of a wide-field radar.

[Problem] To provide a spacecraft having a more effective arrangement of amplifiers. [Solution] Provided is a spacecraft comprising: a main body having a housing space for housing an electronic device within; an oscillator configured to output a radio wave including a frequency in a predetermined frequency band; an amplifier disposed on an exterior of the main body so as to be exposed to space and configured to amplify the power of the radio wave output by the oscillator; and an antenna, disposed on the exterior of the main body, for emitting the radio wave to the outside at the power amplified by the amplifier.

A spacecraft is disclosed, comprising a deployable spacecraft body (110) comprising a plurality of sub-systems (321-324) for controlling operations of the spacecraft, and a plurality of panels (101, 102) and a plurality of hinges (112-115) each connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of panels, the hinges being arranged to permit the plurality of panels to be folded into a stowed configuration and unfolded into a deployed configuration, wherein the plurality of sub-systems are fixed to and supported by one or more of the plurality of panels. By forming the body of the spacecraft from a deployable structure, the overall size of the spacecraft can be significantly reduced in the stowed configuration. In some embodiments, a plurality of the spacecraft in the stowed configuration can be combined into a modular spacecraft assembly prior to launch, with data and power connections between the plurality of stowed spacecraft being used to transfer power from, and data to, a payload monitoring unit on the launch vehicle.

A reinforcing element for a structural profile, in particular for a round, oval or elliptical structural tube. The reinforcing element comprises: a fiber structure which has a hollow-cylindrical, helically wound mesh of fiber strands and forms an inner shell surface formed to receive the structural profile; and a matrix material into which the fiber strands are respectively embedded and which is formed to be shrinkable by heating so that the fiber structure can be fastened to the structural profile with the inner shell surface by heating the matrix material. Also provided are a structural arrangement with such a reinforcing element, an aircraft or spacecraft with such a structural arrangement, as well as a method for producing such a structural arrangement.

Omni-directional, extensible grasp mechanisms are disclosed. Such grasp mechanisms may be used as a robotic end effector for docking, grasping, and manipulating space structures, or to interconnect other structures or vehicles. Novel interconnected lattice structures may enable large arrays to be assembled. The grasp mechanisms may be used to create structures from parallel docking linkages. This may enable reconfiguration of multiple docked space vehicles and/or structures without the use of propellant. The grasp mechanisms have the ability to make and break connections multiple times, enabling a nondestructive and reversible docking process.

Having as its objective to take flight safety measure per satellite group, a space information recorder (101) is mounted in a mega-constellation satellite business device being a business device that manages a satellite constellation of 100 or more satellites, or in a constellation satellite business device being a business device that manages a satellite constellation of 10 or more satellites. The space information recorder (101) is provided with a category of a satellite group ID (112) which identifies a satellite group in which a group of a plurality of satellites having the same nominal orbital altitude cooperate with each other to fulfill a mission. The category of the satellite group ID (112) includes flight safety measure information (115) expressing flight safety measure of the satellite group.