An inflatable tracking antenna assembly may include an inflatable antenna. The inflatable antenna may be configurable in a packed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration the inflatable antenna may be generally spherical in shape. The assembly may include an antenna support structure. The support structure may include a plurality of support arms that couple with lateral sides of the inflatable antenna. The support structure may include a base that is coupled with each of the plurality of support arms. The base may include an azimuth actuator that adjusts an azimuth position of the inflatable antenna and an elevation actuator that adjusts an elevation angle of the inflatable antenna. The support structure may include a plurality of support legs that extend outward from the base.

A nanosatellite or drone, including an antenna; a dielectric waveguide coupled to the antenna, the waveguide comprising at least one of a slot or a taper and the waveguide (1) focusing electromagnetic radiation incident from free space into the waveguide and (2) waveguiding the electromagnetic radiation to the antenna. Also disclosed is a system for deploying a support structure, or device having electromagnetic functionality, including one or more bags each having a wall comprising a membrane; one or more conduits each having an outlet transferring fluid into the one or more of the bags in fluidic communication with the conduits, wherein the fluid pressurizes each of the one or more bags and expands the membrane so as to deploy and form each of the one or more bags into a support or the device having electromagnetic functionality.

An inflatable beacon antenna assembly includes an inflatable sock, an antenna, an attachment port, and a ballast. The inflatable sock may have an inflated state and a deflated state, where the inflatable sock assumes an elongated configuration in the inflated state. The antenna may extend along the length of the inflatable sock. The attachment port may be configured for operable connection to an inflation mechanism. Two or more integrated antennas can be used for multi-frequency VHF/UHF beacon operation and/or a GPS antenna for position location.

An apparatus (e.g., a communication assembly) includes a waveform detector operable to detect a waveform. The apparatus also includes a membrane encircling the waveform detector. The membrane has a first portion that is at least partially transparent to the waveform and has a second portion that is at least partially reflective of the waveform. The apparatus also includes a support member coupled to the waveform detector. The support member is configured to moveably support the waveform detector within the membrane at a location that enables the waveform detector to detect a portion of the waveform that is reflected by the second portion of the membrane.

Systems and methods described herein include collapsible and deployable antenna structures including shape memory composite components.

A nanosatellite or drone, including an antenna; a dielectric waveguide coupled to the antenna, the waveguide comprising at least one of a slot or a taper and the waveguide (1) focusing electromagnetic radiation incident from free space into the waveguide and (2) waveguiding the electromagnetic radiation to the antenna. Also disclosed is a system for deploying a support structure, or device having electromagnetic functionality, including one or more bags each having a wall comprising a membrane; one or more conduits each having an outlet transferring fluid into the one or more of the bags in fluidic communication with the conduits, wherein the fluid pressurizes each of the one or more bags and expands the membrane so as to deploy and form each of the one or more bags into a support or the device having electromagnetic functionality.

A spherical reflector antenna, including a sphere with a reflective surface opposite a transparent surface, a feed system that receives electromagnetic waves that (pass through the transparent surface at a beam angle) and are reflected off the reflective surface at a beam angle and outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface (and pass through the transparent surface at a beam angle), and beam steering electronics that identify a position of the spherical reflector antenna, identify an orientation of the sphere, and adjust the beam angle of the feed system based on angle from the position of spherical reflector antenna to the target relative to the orientation of the sphere.

An AMC antenna apparatus includes a ground plane and a flexible antenna element layer above the ground plane. The ground plane includes a conductive base surface, a plurality of flexible conductors, and a frequency selective surface (FSS) layer above the base surface, where the FSS layer includes a plurality of conductive patches separated from one another. Each of the flexible conductors electrically connects one of the conductive patches to the base surface. A latch mechanism is arranged between the base layer and the FSS layer. An inflatable bladder system between the base layer and the FSS layer is configured to receive a gas input during deployment of the antenna apparatus and inflate to produce force sufficient to cause the latch mechanism to transition from an unlatched state to a latched state in which the conductive base surface is fixedly separated from the FSS layer at a predetermined distance.

A deployable satellite mast consisting of an inflatable tube, which is stored in fan-fold form before deployment and can be deployed by filling the tube with a gas, and which comprises a device for reinforcing and facilitating the deployment of the mast, which device is external to the mast and comprises one or more stays, first ends of which are wound on a reel device and second ends of which are secured to the tube, with the stays unwinding from the reel when the mast is deployed.

A global communication system includes a mobile portion; a phased-array antenna attached to the mobile portion; an actuator to move the antenna in one direction to face a satellite; a transceiver to communicate with the satellite; and a processor controlling the actuator to optimize communication from the transceiver.