Disclosed is a device for controlled separation of a first so-called stationary part and a second so-called mobile part, the stationary part having a stationary connecting surface opposite a mobile connecting surface of the mobile part, the stationary part having a different thermal expansion coefficient from that of the mobile part, the separation device including: at least one connecting agent arranged in a layer between the stationary connecting surface and the mobile connecting surface, at least one device for heating at least one of the stationary part and the mobile part, and at least one system for controlling the heating device.

An apparatus and a method for packaging a large size flat structure into a hexagonal column, allowing higher packaging density without sacrificing the two-dimensional size of the flat structure, and for deploying and unstacking the hexagonal column.

An example of an apparatus includes a spacecraft body and a solar array that is attached to the spacecraft body. In addition, a solar array spring element is configured to provide a force between the solar array and one or more components of a neighboring spacecraft in a stack of spacecraft.

[Problem] To provide a foldable frame structure, unfoldable into a 2N-sided polygonal shape (N being an integer equal to or larger than 2), achieving a securely and rigidly supported unfolded state and a compact folded state.

[Solving means] 2N upper rods (210), with an equal length, are coupled to each other to define a planer 2N-sided polygonal shape. First coupling means (220) coupling two adjacent upper rod (210) at a corresponding one of apices of the 2N-sided polygonal shape, and holding the two upper rod (210) in such a manner that the upper rod (210) are rotatable about an orthogonal axis orthogonal to axes of both of the two rods and rotation means (240) that enable each of the upper rods (210) to rotate about the axis (AX1) are provided. Folding to be a columnar shape as a whole can be achieved with the upper rods (210) pivoted about the orthogonal axis (AX2) to minimize an angle between two adjacent upper rods (210) while the upper rods (210) are rotated about the axis (AX1).

A structure comprises at least two unfurling panels and a spacing and knock prevention device intended to prevent the panels from knocking together when they are furled against one another. The knock prevention device comprises a holder fixed to the first panel, a cap forming a buffer against which the second panel bears in a bearing direction, and a damper disposed in a space formed between the holder and the cap. The cap and the holder form two elements. A first of the two elements comprises at least one lug. The second of the two elements comprises at least one housing intended to receive the lug. The cap is configured such that the lug passes into the housing by elastic deformation of the cap.

A core element for use with an inflatable or expandable spacecraft is claimed. The core element has a plurality of panels connected by hinges so that the core element can be packed into a smaller volume for loading into a launch vehicle. Upon deployment in space, the core element can be unpacked and can enclose a larger volume than that in the packed state. Multiple core elements can be used to cover a spacecraft to a desired degree.

An inflatable aerodynamic deceleration method and system is provided for use with an atmospheric entry payload. The inflatable aerodynamic decelerator includes an inflatable envelope and an inflatant, wherein the inflatant is configured to fill the inflatable envelope to an inflated state such that the inflatable envelope surrounds the atmospheric entry payload, causing aerodynamic forces to decelerate the atmospheric entry payload.

A device to stabilize and deorbit a satellite includes a pair of coplanar masts, each one carrying at least one membrane forming an aerobraking web. The masts are fixed to the satellite along non-parallel axes. Each mast is provided on the opposite end of the satellite with a mass to generate a gravity gradient. The end of each mast is fixed to the satellite. The masts form, with the bisectrix between the masts, a fixed angle to align the bisectrix with the satellite speed vector at any altitude.

A self-deployable array of panels includes a plurality of panels, each panel having a first compressed panel thickness state and a second expanded panel thickness state, and including a spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state. A plurality of locking hinges hingedly couple each of the panels to an adjoining panel. Each locking hinge is biased to an open position. A release of stored potential energy of both of the spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state, and the locking hinges biased to the open position causes the self-deployable array of panels to self-deploy from a folded stowed state. A single part offset locking hinge is also described.

A system, including: a satellite; a first solar array including a first solar panel; a second solar array including a second solar panel; a boom having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the first end connects to the satellite; and a bracket assembly, where the bracket assembly has a first, second, and third brackets, where the first bracket connects the first solar array to the third bracket, where the second bracket connects the second solar array to the third bracket, and where the third bracket connects the first bracket and the second bracket to the second end of the boom; where the bracket assembly is configured to reorient the first solar array and the second solar array between a stowed position to a deployed position, and where in the deployed position, the first and second solar arrays are oriented at a predetermined angle.