Disclosed is an artificial satellite including a battery pack capable of dissipating heat, at least one radiator capable of conveying the heat dissipated by the battery pack into space, and a low-dissipation equipment item having an individual power flux density of less than 250 watts/m.sup.2. The satellite includes a thermally insulating cover delimiting, together with the radiator, an interior isothermal zone in which thermal control takes place by radiation, the battery pack and the low-dissipation equipment being arranged in thermally insulating cover. The battery pack has an operating range of between 0? C. and 50? C. and preferably of between 10? C. and 30? C.

Spacecraft including a spacecraft bus. An additive manufacturing system of the spacecraft bus including at least one extruder for delivering feedstock to print an object outside of the spacecraft bus. A sensor for determining a pose of the spacecraft bus relative to an astronomical body. At least one processor in communication with the additive manufacturing system and the sensor, controls an operation of the additive manufacturing system as a function of the pose of the spacecraft bus, to manufacture the object outside of the spacecraft bus.

Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to minimize command dynamics of a satellite are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a steering law module to calculate a first set of vectors to maneuver a space vehicle, and calculate a second set of vectors based on projecting the first set of vectors onto a fixed plane. The apparatus further includes an attitude controller to generate an attitude command based on the first and the second sets of vectors to prevent an unplanned rotation by the space vehicle.

A service satellite having a body, a controller and a docking unit including a telescopic arm, mounted on a 6-DOF parallel manipulator, and two additional gripping arms. The telescopic arm, deployed from the 6-DOF manipulator, is equipped with a pair of rapid closure digits. The telescopic arm facilitates capturing the launch adaptor ring of a client spacecraft, even during tumbling. The 6-DOF parallel manipulator has force sensors and can accommodate post capturing relative motion through active compliance control and controlled de-tumbling, for avoiding generation of high forces in the telescopic arm. After relative rate annihilation, the telescopic arm retracts and the client ring is secured to the 6-DOF manipulator with the help of a pair of clamps. After the ring is secured, two additional gripping arms secure a rigid connection with the launcher ring so that the docking connection comprises three equally spaced connections.

Systems and methods for describing, simulating and/or optimizing spaceborne systems and missions. Configurations for spaceborne systems are generated and validated based on simulation output.

A system for generating magnetic fields in one or more axis, the system comprising a primary electromagnet comprising a first coil having a first axis wherein the first coil is formed of a superconductor, a cooling element configured to cool the first coil below the critical temperature of the superconductor, a power source configured to energise the primary and secondary and electromagnets, wherein the primary electromagnet comprises a frame member, and wherein the frame member is suspended from at least one bracket by a thermally insulating structural member and/or a thermally insulating spring.

The invention relates to a flywheel device for position stabilization of a spacecraft, comprising a carrier (1), a rotor (2), a magnetic drive (4) for the rotatingly driving the rotor (2) relative to the carrier (1), and a roller bearing (3) arranged between the rotor (2) and the carrier (1). A magnetic force can be generated between the rotor (2) and the carrier (1) by means of the magnetic drive (4) in order to pre-stress the rolling bearing (3). The outer diameter (A) of the rotor (2) can have, for example, only a maximum of 2.5 times of the rolling bearing diameter (W).

Embodiments of three parameter isolators including rolling seal damper assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, the three parameter isolator includes first and second isolator end portions, which are opposed along a working axis. A main spring and a tuning spring are mechanically coupled in parallel between the first and second isolator end portions. A rolling seal damper assembly is further mechanically coupled between the first and second isolator end portions in parallel with the main spring and in series with the tuning spring. The rolling seal damper assembly includes a first hydraulic chamber, a second hydraulic chamber fluidly coupled to the first hydraulic chamber, and first and second rolling diaphragm seals partially bounding the first and second hydraulic chambers, respectively. In certain implementations, the rolling seal damper assembly also contains a thermal compensator piston to which the first rolling diaphragm seal is attached.

The disclosed subject matter relates to a reaction wheel system for controlling and stabilizing a satellite or other spacecraft. The reaction wheel system includes a reaction wheel rotor and a containment structure stator including a plurality of contactor assemblies for securing the reaction wheel rotor when not in rotation and for electromagnetically inducing substantially frictionless rotation of the reaction wheel rotor.

This disclosure relates to a satellite attitude control apparatus, comprising a spherical inertial body (1), which is arranged to be rotated in space in a desired rotational mode, one or more rotational feedback sensors. The apparatus further comprises a set of supports (3) and/or actuators (2), whereas one or more actuator is used to create rotational momentum to the spherical inertial body through friction. A set of three or more actuators and supports is used in order to keep the inertial body in place. Three or more supporting elements (supports and actuators) are used in combination with magnetic attraction or four or more supporting elements are used in case magnetic attraction is not in use. Supports can be passive or semi-active in order to reduce friction.