A stackable pancake satellite that is configured so that a plurality of the satellites can be stacked within a payload fairing of a launch vehicle. Each satellite includes sections that are folded or rotated together prior to launch, and unfolded or rotated away from each other when deployed. A first section is a satellite body having a first side that acts as a thermal radiator and a second side opposite the first side that includes an antenna. A second section includes one or more solar panels attached adjacent to the first side of the satellite body. A third section includes a splash plate reflector attached adjacent to the second side of the satellite body that reflects signals between Earth and the antenna. When deployed, the solar panels are pointed towards the Sun and the splash plate reflector directs the signals between the Earth and the antenna.

A satellite (SAT) includes a platform, at least one solar panel for supplying the satellite (SAT) with electrical energy, the solar panel being fixed along one side of the platform, the satellite comprising an antenna system (Rx+Z, Rx-Z, Tx+Z, Tx-Z) comprising two remote control antennas (Rx+Z, Rx-Z) and two remote measurement antennas (Tx+Z, Tx-Z), wherein the two remote control antennas (Rx+Z, Rx-Z) are disposed back to back on either side of the platform, and spaced one from the other by a distance less than or equal to λ, where λ corresponds to the wavelength of the remote control or remote measurement signal, the two remote measurement antennas (Tx+Z, Tx-Z) are disposed back to back, on either side of the platform, and spaced one from the other by a distance less than or equal to λ, the antenna system is disposed at one of the two ends of the side of the platform (PF) on which the solar panel (PS) is fixed.

A satellite (SAT) includes a platform, at least one solar panel for supplying the satellite (SAT) with electrical energy, the solar panel being fixed along one side of the platform, the satellite comprising an antenna system (Rx+Z, Rx-Z, Tx+Z, Tx-Z) comprising two remote control antennas (Rx+Z, Rx-Z) and two remote measurement antennas (Tx+Z, Tx-Z), wherein the two remote control antennas (Rx+Z, Rx-Z) are disposed back to back on either side of the platform, and spaced one from the other by a distance less than or equal to λ, where λ corresponds to the wavelength of the remote control or remote measurement signal, the two remote measurement antennas (Tx+Z, Tx-Z) are disposed back to back, on either side of the platform, and spaced one from the other by a distance less than or equal to λ, the antenna system is disposed at one of the two ends of the side of the platform (PF) on which the solar panel (PS) is fixed.

Method and circuits for balancing a first waveform used to drive an LED are disclosed herein. The first waveform has a first cycle with a first amplitude and a second cycle with a second amplitude. An embodiment of the method includes adjusting the first amplitude of the first cycle to match the second amplitude of the second cycle, the result being a second waveform. The LED is driven with the second waveform.

This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with the stowing, deploying, and deployment of a solar cell array. With reference to some exemplary embodiments this disclosure teaches apparatuses, systems, and methods directed to a solar cell array system that is a relatively lightweight, compact, and self-contained structure that securely stores, protects, and deploys the solar array. With reference to some exemplary embodiments this disclosure teaches apparatuses, systems, and methods for deploying a solar cell array that is held in the deployed configuration by self-contained compressive force and tensile force members such that no loads are carried through the solar cell panels.

This disclosure is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods associated with the stowing, deploying, and deployment of a solar cell array. With reference to some exemplary embodiments this disclosure teaches apparatuses, systems, and methods directed to a solar cell array system that is a relatively lightweight, compact, and self-contained structure that securely stores, protects, and deploys the solar array. With reference to some exemplary embodiments this disclosure teaches apparatuses, systems, and methods for deploying a solar cell array that is held in the deployed configuration by self-contained compressive force and tensile force members such that no loads are carried through the solar cell panels.

The invention relates to a spacecraft comprising a body having two opposite faces; a first radiator carried by at least one face; the first radiator having an outer face; a first supporting arm extending substantially perpendicularly to the outer face of the first radiator; a drive motor suitable for rotating the first supporting arm about its longitudinal axis a first assembly carried by the first supporting arm, said first assembly comprising a plurality of slats stationary with respect to the first supporting arm; said slats being attached one above the other and separated from each other by a free space.

A satellite orbiting in one of a plurality of orbital planes of a satellite constellation system at an altitude range corresponding to low earth orbit includes at least one processor configured to generate satellite state data, and to generate a navigation signal based on the satellite state data. The satellite includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device on earth. Each of the plurality of orbital planes includes a corresponding one of a plurality of satellite subsets of a plurality of satellites of the satellite constellation system. Each of the plurality of orbital planes is within the altitude range, and the plurality of orbital planes includes a set of inclined orbital planes at a non-polar inclination.

A space-grade solar array includes relatively small cells with integrated wiring embedded into or incorporated directly onto a printed circuit board. The integrated wiring provides an interface for solar cells having back side electrical contacts. The single side contacts enable the use of pick and place (PnP) technology in manufacturing the space-grade solar array. The solar cell is easily and efficiently packaged and electrically interconnected with other solar cells on a solar panel such as by using PnP process. The back side contacts are matched from a size and positioning standpoint to corresponding contacts on the printed circuit board.

An example of a satellite includes a first radiator panel with first heat-generating components attached to its surface and a second radiator panel with second heat-generating components attached to its surface. One or more actuators are configured to deploy the first and second radiator panels from a compact configuration in which the first and second radiator panels are overlapping to a deployed configuration in which the first and second radiator panels are non-overlapping.