Various embodiments that pertain to signal based arrangement of pin tumbler pins are described. A receiver can receive and process a signal. The signal can indicate an arrangement for the pins of the pin tumblers. With a proper signal, the pins can be placed so that the pin tumbler unlocks. Security measures can be put into place to make sure the signal is a valid signal, such as through employment of a hash function set (e.g., two hash functions).

Various embodiments that pertain to signal based arrangement of pin tumbler pins are described. A receiver can receive and process a signal. The signal can indicate an arrangement for the pins of the pin tumblers. With a proper signal, the pins can be placed so that the pin tumbler unlocks. Security measures can be put into place to make sure the signal is a valid signal, such as through employment of a hash function set (e.g., two hash functions).

Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.

A space vehicle comprising: a housing having a first side and an opposite side, and an axis; a first elongated, rectangular sheet including an array of transducer devices including multijunction solar cells mounted on, and extending from a surface of the first side of the housing, and a second elongated, rectangular sheet including an array of transducer devices including multijunction solar cells mounted on and extending from a surface of the second side of the housing that extend radially from the housing and orthogonal to the axis of the housing in a direction opposite to that of the first flexible elongated rectangular sheet, wherein the selection of the composition of the subcells and their band gap of the multijunction solar cells maximizes the efficiency of the solar cell at the end-of-life EOL in the application of one of (i) a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite that typically experiences radiation equivalent to 5×10.sup.14 electron fluence per square centimeter (“e/cm.sup.2”) over a five year EOL, or (ii) a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite that typically experiences radiation in the range of 5×10.sup.14 e/cm.sup.2 to 1×10.sup.15 e/cm.sup.2 over a fifteen year EOL, with the efficiency of the multijunction solar cells being less at the BOL than the EOL.

Various embodiments of a multi-modal screw propelled excavation craft operable for excavating a material as the craft is propelled along a surface are disclosed.

Various embodiments of a multi-modal screw propelled excavation craft operable for excavating a material as the craft is propelled along a surface are disclosed.

A sampling method includes: obtaining topographical information about a predetermined wide area by using a first sensor on a work machine; selecting a candidate area within the wide area, the candidate area is less than an area of the wide area, and setting a movement route based on the information about the wide area, the movement route allows a distal end portion of an arm provided on the work machine to reach a preparation position without coming into contact with an obstacle, the preparation position being located above the candidate area; moving the distal end portion of the arm along the movement route to the preparation position, and obtaining topographical information about the candidate area by using a second sensor on the distal end portion of the arm; and specifying a sampling point based on the information about the candidate area and performing sampling at the specified sampling point.

A sampling method includes: obtaining topographical information about a predetermined wide area by using a first sensor on a work machine; selecting a candidate area within the wide area, the candidate area is less than an area of the wide area, and setting a movement route based on the information about the wide area, the movement route allows a distal end portion of an arm provided on the work machine to reach a preparation position without coming into contact with an obstacle, the preparation position being located above the candidate area; moving the distal end portion of the arm along the movement route to the preparation position, and obtaining topographical information about the candidate area by using a second sensor on the distal end portion of the arm; and specifying a sampling point based on the information about the candidate area and performing sampling at the specified sampling point.

In one aspect, tensegrity structures or apparatus are described herein comprising rings or hoops. Briefly, a tensegrity structure comprises a plurality of rings spaced apart along a central axis and connected by struts, wherein the struts are coupled to a force actuator assembly via cables, the force actuator assembly residing within a volume defined by the struts. In some embodiments, the tensegrity structure employs three struts for connecting the rings, although any desired number of struts is possible. Moreover, cables can extend from opposing ends of the force actuator assembly to couple with the struts.

Systems and methods are provided for providing stability support. The system may include a movable foundation that moves on a surface, and a base rotatably mounted to the movable foundation. A leveling platform may be adjustably mounted to the base and can pivot around a pivoting axis intersecting the base. A control arm connects the leveling platform and the base, and can effect the pivoting of the leveling platform by adjusting the length of the control arm. An alternative system may include a supporting scaffold that is adjustably connected to a movable foundation by at least three control arms. The at least three control arms can change length such that an angle of the supporting scaffold from the movable foundation changes.