Solar collectors can provide power for electricity, thermal propulsion, and material processing (e.g., mining asteroids). In one aspect, an apparatus for collecting solar energy and simultaneously protecting against damage from a resulting energy beam includes a solar energy collection system including at least one concentrator and a target configured to use, store, or convert the solar energy, the collection system configured to cause solar energy to focus on the target, at least one sensor configured to detect misalignment of the concentrator by determining that some or all of the collected solar energy is offset from the target, and a safety system configured to redirect the energy or interpose a safety structure for shielding other non-target systems from receiving too much solar energy from the collection system.

A spacecraft sunshade is provided. The sunshade includes a surface that is maintained in a sun facing orientation. Adjustments to a position of the sunshade are made in a plane that is transverse to a line of sight to the sun, in order to block sunlight from being directly incident on an instrument associated with the spacecraft. The sunshade can include photovoltaic elements on the sun-facing surface of the sunshade. In addition, the sunshade can be formed from an opaque material, and further from a material that absorbs heat from the sun and reradiate that heat to the instrument. The sunshade can perform stray light blocking, electrical power generation, and radiational heating functions.

A spacecraft sunshade is provided. The sunshade includes a surface that is maintained in a sun facing orientation. Adjustments to a position of the sunshade are made in a plane that is transverse to a line of sight to the sun, in order to block sunlight from being directly incident on an instrument associated with the spacecraft. The sunshade can include photovoltaic elements on the sun-facing surface of the sunshade. In addition, the sunshade can be formed from an opaque material, and further from a material that absorbs heat from the sun and reradiate that heat to the instrument. The sunshade can perform stray light blocking, electrical power generation, and radiational heating functions.

In some examples, an impact shield structure for use on a lower earth orbit spacecraft comprises a capture layer to absorb debris incident thereon.

In some examples, an impact shield structure for use on a lower earth orbit spacecraft comprises a capture layer to absorb debris incident thereon.

A: spacecraft attitude control system comprising •at least one attitude control device (2), the attitude control device comprising •first and second magnets (3, 4) having magnetic dipole moments M1 and M2 respectively, each magnet (3, 4) comprising a north pole face and a south pole face; •the magnets (3, 4) being spaced apart along a length axis by a gap, •for each magnet the pole face closest to the other magnet being termed the closest face, the magnets being arranged with the closest faces being of the same pole; •the first magnet 3 being connected to a rotation mechanism (7), the rotation mechanism being adapted to rotate the first magnet about first and second axes (8, 9), none of the first axis (8), second axis (9) and magnetic dipole moment M1, M2 of the first magnet (3) being parallel to the other.

A: spacecraft attitude control system comprising •at least one attitude control device (2), the attitude control device comprising •first and second magnets (3, 4) having magnetic dipole moments M1 and M2 respectively, each magnet (3, 4) comprising a north pole face and a south pole face; •the magnets (3, 4) being spaced apart along a length axis by a gap, •for each magnet the pole face closest to the other magnet being termed the closest face, the magnets being arranged with the closest faces being of the same pole; •the first magnet 3 being connected to a rotation mechanism (7), the rotation mechanism being adapted to rotate the first magnet about first and second axes (8, 9), none of the first axis (8), second axis (9) and magnetic dipole moment M1, M2 of the first magnet (3) being parallel to the other.

Enclosures for facilitating activities in space, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a spacecraft having an enclosed interior volume (which can be formed by an inflatable membrane) and one or more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carried by the spacecraft and positioned to deploy into the enclosed interior volume. The system can include a remote-control system to control the one or more UAVs from a terrestrial location while the spacecraft is in space. A wireless charging system can provide electrical power to the one or more UAVs. A representative method includes configuring one or more controllers to launch a first spacecraft to a first orbit, launch a second spacecraft to a second orbit, move the first spacecraft to the second orbit, dock the first spacecraft with the second spacecraft, and broadcast an event within an interior volume of the first spacecraft to a terrestrial location.

Systems and methods for transferring, storing, and/or processing materials, such as fuel or propellant, in space, are disclosed. A representative system includes a flexible container that is changeable between a stowed configuration in which the flexible container is contained within a satellite, and a deployed configuration in which the flexible container extends away from the satellite. The system can include a tanker with a storage container to dock with and refuel a satellite. Another representative system includes a controller programmed with instructions that position a spacecraft with a storage container in a first orbit, transfer the spacecraft to a second orbit, dock the spacecraft with a satellite in the second orbit, transfer material between the storage container and the satellite, undock the spacecraft from the satellite, and, optionally, return the spacecraft to the first orbit. An androgynous coupling system with mechanical and fluid connectors facilitates docking and material transfer.

A system and method for protecting an electronics module on a spacecraft in space are described. The system includes a non-radiation hardened electronics module electrically connected to a power supply, with a switch connected between the power supply and the electronics module. The switch can disconnect the electronics module from the power supply in response to an event signal. A sensor which is capable of detecting a solar proton event is connected to the switch. The sensor emits the event signal upon detection of the solar proton event.