In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure teaches a method for reconfiguring a solar array. The method involves providing, for the solar array, at least one string of solar cells. The method further involves deactivating at least a portion of at least one of the strings of solar cells of the solar array when power produced by the solar array reaches a maximum power allowance threshold. In addition, the method involves activating at least a portion of at least one of the strings of the solar cells in the solar array when the power produced by the solar array reaches a minimum power allowance threshold.

A modular satellite for converting solar energy to microwave energy and transmitting the microwave energy to the earth to be converted into electricity includes solar panels configured to convert solar energy into direct current; a magnetron operatively connected to the solar panels to receive the direct current and configured to convert the direct current into microwave energy; a planar wave guide antenna operatively connected to the magnetron to receive the microwave energy and direct the microwave energy to a station on earth; and a coupling system for coupling with another satellite to form an array in response to at least one of locking, unlocking, and navigational commands. The satellite has a mass equal to or less than four kilograms, and a volume equal to or less than three liters.

The present invention generally is a system and method for ground, atmospheric and space based solar powered electrical energy generation and transmission of beamed microwave power. Specifically it is a system and method for generating electrical energy from a plurality of photovoltaic cells dispersed on a flexible surface each in close proximity to and functionally connected to microwave generating and transmitting means for controllably forming one or more stronger microwave beams by combining a plurality of much weaker individual microwave beams. The invention can be a microwave beam weapon for detecting and transferring microwave energy to non-cooperative targets or it clear orbital debris by momentum transfer to space object through microwave radiation pressure. Most practically it can provide electric power and microwave beam weapon defense to remote military and civilian facilities, including forward operating bases.

Disclosed is a modular, human-crewed interplanetary spacecraft that is assembled in cislunar space. It is primarily comprised of a hollowed-out asteroid; five expandable habitation modules, one of which is expanded inside the asteroid cavity; two docking and airlock nodes; two landing craft suitable for exploring celestial bodies; structural support members; truss structures; robotic arms; a propulsion module; and shielding curtains that are filled with pulverized asteroidal material and attached to the truss structure. This configuration provides substantial radiation and meteoroid shielding. Upon completion of their mission, the crew will use the robotic arms to disconnect and mate (1) the asteroid containing the control module, (2) the forward docking and airlock node, and (3) the propulsion module. This crew-return vehicle will return to cislunar space. The remaining expandable modules with trusses, robotic arms, and landing craft will remain in the destination orbit to serve as a space station for future missions.

In at least one aspect, a small satellite includes a cylindrical body, a predetermined payload volume, a payload adapter ring mechanical interface for interchangeably mechanically coupling to a launch vehicle payload adapter ring, an electrical interface specifying a set of electrical specifications for interchangeably electrically coupling to the launch vehicle payload adapter ring, a specified center of gravity location and specified frequency response, where the predetermined payload volume, payload adapter ring mechanical interface, electrical interface, specified center of gravity location, and frequency response range allow the small satellite to be interchanged with other small satellites when coupling to the launch vehicle.

A structural panel for a satellite includes an external skin, an internal skin and a core layer arranged between the two, internal and external, skins and provided with a blind void comprising at least one electrically insulated inserted busbar.

A reconfigurable power processing unit for a spacecraft including a plurality of power modules. Each of the power modules includes a first power source and a second power source. The first power source and the second power source are configured to be in series in a first state and in parallel in a second state. A plurality of contactors connect each power module to at least one of another power module in the plurality of power modules and a power processing output and are configured to control the state of the power modules.

A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom is provided. Each solar power station includes a plurality of satellite modules. The plurality of satellite modules each include a plurality of modular power generation tiles including a photovoltaic solar radiation collector, a power transmitter and associated control electronics. Numerous embodiments relate to efficient power generation tiles. In one embodiment, an efficient power generation tile includes: at least one photovoltaic material; and at least one concentrator that redirects incident solar radiation towards a photovoltaic material such that the photovoltaic material experiences a greater solar flux relative to the case where the photovoltaic material experiences unaltered solar radiation.

A single-person spacecraft includes a pressurized crew enclosure, an external equipment bay, and an overhead crown assembly.

An electrical power system has a dual battery configuration that enables sufficient power supply for a spacecraft bus and a payload module being carried by the spacecraft. During a sunlight power mode, power is drawn from a solar array of the bus to power a low-discharge payload of the spacecraft and a high-discharge payload of a payload module. During the sunlight power mode, a low rate discharge battery and a high rate discharge battery are charged by a battery charge management unit of the spacecraft bus. During an eclipse power mode, the low rate discharge battery powers the low-discharge payload of the spacecraft and the high rate discharge battery powers the high-discharge payload of the payload module. The high-rate discharge battery may also be used to power the high-rate discharge payload in the sunlight power mode to meet its high current demands to meet a flexible mission operations.