Spacecraft servicing devices and related methods may include a propellant tank configured to store a propellant and to be placed into fluid communication with a portion of the target spacecraft.

A feed assembly supplies polysilicon to a growth chamber for growing a crystal ingot from a melt. An example system includes a housing having support rails for receiving one of a granular tray and a chunk tray and a feed material reservoir positioned above the support rails to selectively feed one of either the granular tray or the chunk tray. A valve mechanism and pulse vibrator are also disclosed.

Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may include a body configured to be deployed from a host spacecraft at a location adjacent a target spacecraft and at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft.

Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one mission extension pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.

Provided are various spacecraft propulsion systems, and associated methods of operation. A spacecraft comprises an ion propulsion system and an ion blocker suspended from the spacecraft via one or more electrically insulated tethers. The ion propulsion system is configured to generate a first propulsive force by emitting a charged ion beam in a direction with an ion velocity vector comprising an ion vector component that is perpendicular to a magnetic field of a planet, such as Earth. The magnetic field causes the ion beam to curve toward the ion blocker at a trajectory such that ions within the ion beam are blocked by the ion blocker to generate a second propulsive force on the ion blocker. The ion blocker blocks the ions by contacting or deflecting the ions. The ion blocker is positioned approximately twice the gyroradius of the ion beam trajectory.

Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least one pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.

A system for delivery to space on a launch vehicle includes a first payload configured to directly couple to an adapter structure of the launch vehicle, a second payload configured to directly couple to the adapter structure of the launch vehicle, and a tether between the first payload and the second payload. Subsequently to separation from the launch vehicle, the first payload is configured to move relative to the second payload, using the tether, to dock with the second payload.

Systems and methods for multi-armed robotic capture devices are disclosed. The systems and methods for multi-armed robotic capture devices include a base that is configured to attach to a robotic arm or a servicer and having a tether. The systems and methods for multi-armed robotic capture devices include a body that is coupled to the base via the tether. Additionally, the systems and methods for multi-armed robotic capture devices include a plurality of tentacles coupled to the body and configured to grip a target object. The systems and methods for multi-armed robotic capture devices also include a plurality of tiles positioned on each tentacle of the plurality of tentacles and configured to apply a shear force on the target object to grip the target object using an adhesive force.

A craft having a source of deuterium-containing micro-fusion fuel particles is operable above a planetary, lunar or asteroid surface in the presence of ambient cosmic rays. The fuel particles are dispersible from a set of ports, where at least some of the ports are in an underside of the craft body and others are in lateral sides of the craft body. Dispersed fuel particles interact with ambient cosmic rays and muons to generate energetic reaction products, at least some which are then received by the underside of the craft to generate lift and also selected lateral sides of the craft to generate propulsive thrust in a desired lateral direction. The craft can carry tethers and winches to carry a payload above the surface from location to another. In another embodiment, a balloon-based design, such as a dirigible, provides primary buoyant lift, while the micro-fusion particles provide at least lateral thrust, and supplemental lift where needed.

A spacecraft servicing system to provide in-orbit servicing through the umbilical connectors of a spacecraft. In one embodiment, a manipulator arm maneuvers a servicer umbilical to form an electrical connection between a servicer spacecraft and an umbilical connector of a client spacecraft, the umbilical connector conventionally used solely for ground-based operations. In one feature, the electrical connection is used to provide power or software upgrades to the client spacecraft.