A spacecraft for removing space debris is disclosed. The spacecraft includes a satellite bus, a shield member foldable on an outer side face of the satellite bus and disposed facing towards space debris to reduce a movement speed of the space debris, and a support member configured to support the shield member with respect to the satellite bus, in which the shield member includes a central panel configured to overlap one face of the satellite bus, a plurality of first panels connected to peripheral sides of the central panel and radially extended, and a plurality of second panels located between the first panels.

A spacecraft for removing space debris is disclosed. The spacecraft includes a satellite bus, a shield member foldable on an outer side face of the satellite bus and disposed facing towards space debris to reduce a movement speed of the space debris, and a support member configured to support the shield member with respect to the satellite bus, in which the shield member includes a central panel configured to overlap one face of the satellite bus, a plurality of first panels connected to peripheral sides of the central panel and radially extended, and a plurality of second panels located between the first panels.

The present disclosure relates to deployable structures and methods of use thereof. In particular, deployable structures with non-cylindrical or irregular shapes and methods of use thereof are disclosed. Non-cylindrical combustion elements can be used to rigidize such non-cylindrical or irregular shapes. The use of gaseous oxidizers along with deployable structures is also disclosed.

An electrode performance evaluation system and an electrode performance evaluation method is disclosed. The method includes acquiring impedance measurement data for different frequencies by applying an alternating current signal to an electrode assembly including an electrode which is immersed in an electrolyte solution, calculating impedance calculation data for different frequencies while changing the frequency of an impedance equation corresponding to a circuit model of the electrode assembly, calculating the resistance value of ion bulk resistance in the electrolyte solution using the ion conductivity of the electrolyte solution, the area of the electrode and the thickness and porosity of an active material layer of the electrode, and determining effective tortuosity as a factor of the electrode performance based on the impedance measurement data for different frequencies, the impedance calculation data for different frequencies and the resistance value of the ion bulk resistance.

Systems for insulating a space vehicle or space borne container from an external environment as well as cryogens from heat sources. Such systems also protect the vehicle from the high dynamic pressures, the high heat loads encountered in atmospheric flight, and provide storage capability that strongly limits, or effectively eliminates, cryogenic boil-off losses once in space. Such systems include an expandable structure having a plurality of contiguously adjacent expandable layers. The layers are connected by a plurality of tension connectors between successive layers. For launch and flight the layers can be restrained in a collapsed position. Whereupon exiting a free stream environment, the layers are expanded where they can lock into place or otherwise remain in an expanded state. The expansion creates separation between the layers with minimal conduction paths providing near theoretically perfect multi-layer insulation and extremely effective debris protection.

A collision-avoidance propulsion system and method for orbiting satellites and other spacecraft takes advantage of ambient cosmic rays in space to catalyze micro-fusion events via particle-target fusion and muon-catalyzed fusion processes, using the reaction products to produce thrust upon orbiting satellites and other spacecraft. A supply of deuterium-containing particle fuel material is propelled in a specified direction of the spacecraft in response to indication of a potential collision with another space object (e.g. orbiting debris). In one embodiment, this may be performed by propellant gas expelling the fuel material through conduits to specified ports on the exterior of the spacecraft. The propelled material interacts with the ambient cosmic rays and muon generated from those cosmic rays to induce micro-fusion. A portion of the energetic reaction products (e.g. alpha particles) are received upon the spacecraft to alter its trajectory in a manner that avoids the potential collision.

The present disclosure relates to deployable structures and methods of use thereof. In particular, deployable structures with non-cylindrical or irregular shapes and methods of use thereof are disclosed. Non-cylindrical combustion elements can be used to rigidize such non-cylindrical or irregular shapes. The use of gaseous oxidizers along with deployable structures is also disclosed.

Techniques for deploying a plurality of smallsats from a common launch vehicle are disclosed where a structural arrangement provides a load path between an upper stage of the launch and the plurality of spacecraft. Each spacecraft is mechanically coupled with the launch vehicle upper stage only by the structural arrangement. The structural arrangement includes at least one trunk member that is approximately aligned with the longitudinal axis of the launch vehicle upper stage, a plurality of branch members, each branch member being attached to the trunk member and having at least a first end portion that is substantially outboard from the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of mechanical linkages, each linkage coupled at a first end with a first respective spacecraft and coupled at a second end with one of the plurality of branch members, the trunk member or a second respective spacecraft.

Textiles intercalated with shear thickening fluids (STF) are disclosed. The STF-intercalated textiles are light weight and include high tenacity textiles that exhibit enhanced resistance to puncture, cutting, abrasion, dust penetration, and projectile penetration. Also disclosed are multi-layer articles, such as safety suits and extra-vehicular mobility units, which include STF-intercalated textiles. Methods for manufacturing STF-intercalated textiles are also disclosed.

A pressurized structure panel for forming a pressurized space pressurized inside includes a panel structure having a panel body to receive the pressure, a rib provided in the panel body, and a hollow part formed by the panel body and the rib, a radiation shielding material provided in the hollow part, and a debris bumper provided outside the panel structure and provided spaced apart from the panel structure by a certain spacing. The radiation shielding material includes a material containing hydrogen atoms in molecules.