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 flight vehicle includes a drone with a pair of shaped protrusions mechanically coupled to the drone. One of the shapes is a hollow lift-producing shape, such as being a balloon filed with a lighter-than-air gas, and the other of the shapes is below the drone. The shape below the drone may be a hollow shape that does not produce lift, for example being a balloon filled with air. The shapes may be similar in size and shape, so as to provide similar drag characteristics. The shapes may be opposite ends of a support, such as a stick, rod, or other (relatively) slender structure. The vehicle includes a payload, such as radar calibration equipment or an antenna. The drone may be used to counteract wind forces on the flight vehicle, and/or to otherwise position the flight vehicle.

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 cross-link satellite with spherical reflectors that can communicate in up to five substantially orthogonal directions, and thus can be included in a satellite constellation, that can be built and deployed at a lower cost than conventional satellite antennas in conventional satellite constellations. The cross-link satellite includes a communications hub in the center of a spherical balloon. The spherical balloon includes a transparent surface and three or more reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces include a continuous reflective surface (e.g., for communicating with the ground), a first polarized reflective surface, and a second polarized reflective surface opposite the first polarized reflective surface. The first polarized reflective surface and the second polarized reflective surface are orthogonally polarized, enabling the cross-link satellite to communicate with satellites on either side of the cross-link satellite as part of a satellite constellation.

A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.

A cross-link satellite with spherical reflectors that can communicate in up to five substantially orthogonal directions, and thus can be included in a satellite constellation, that can be built and deployed at a lower cost than conventional satellite antennas in conventional satellite constellations. The cross-link satellite includes a communications hub in the center of a spherical balloon. The spherical balloon includes a transparent surface and three or more reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces include a continuous reflective surface (e.g., for communicating with the ground), a first polarized reflective surface, and a second polarized reflective surface opposite the first polarized reflective surface. The first polarized reflective surface and the second polarized reflective surface are orthogonally polarized, enabling the cross-link satellite to communicate with satellites on either side of the cross-link satellite as part of a satellite constellation.

Collapsible feed structures to further improve the ability of a reflector antenna (e.g., a spherical balloon reflector antenna) to collapse are disclosed. In a first embodiment, feed systems that include a metallic layer deposited on a dielectric support curtain (e.g., the dielectric support curtain of a spherical balloon antenna), one or more Vee antenna structures, patterned on the metallic layer, that receive a signal reflected off a reflective surface and/or emit a signal that is reflected off a reflective surface, and one or more slot line transmission lines, patterned on the metallic layer, that transmit a signal to and/or from one of the Vee antenna structures. In a second embodiment, a collapsible line feed that includes a plurality of metallic disks and a flexible monopole passing through the plurality of metallic disks.

A flight vehicle includes a drone with a pair of shaped protrusions mechanically coupled to the drone. One of the shapes is a hollow lift-producing shape, such as being a balloon filed with a lighter-than-air gas, and the other of the shapes is below the drone. The shape below the drone may be a hollow shape that does not produce lift, for example being a balloon filled with air. The shapes may be similar in size and shape, so as to provide similar drag characteristics. The shapes may be opposite ends of a support, such as a stick, rod, or other (relatively) slender structure. The vehicle includes a payload, such as radar calibration equipment or an antenna. The drone may be used to counteract wind forces on the flight vehicle, and/or to otherwise position the flight vehicle.

A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.

A balloon reflector antenna for a satellite, including a spherical balloon with a surface transparent to electromagnetic waves and a reflective surface opposite the transparent surface. The balloon reflector antenna may further include a feed system extending from the center of the balloon that receives electromagnetic waves reflected off the reflective surface and/or outputs electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the reflective surface.