Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.

Michael Edward McEachen

David Michael Murphy

Thomas W Murphey

Matthew M Botke

Michael I Eskenazi

Christopher Peterson

William A Llorens

Matthew Alan Michel

Michael Foster

Peter O Sorensen

Jeffrey Braden

Peter O Sorenson

Jeffrey R Braden

A solar array may include a first rigid composite solar panel including solar cells secured to a first substrate. The solar array may further include a second rigid composite solar panel including solar cells secured to a second substrate. The solar array may also include solar panel modules including solar cells secured to a flexible sheet of material. The solar panel modules may be coupled between the first composite solar panel and the second composite solar panel. The solar array may be configured to be retained in a stowed arrangement with the solar panel modules between the first rigid composite solar panel and the second rigid composite solar panel. The solar array further configured to be extended with an extendable arm until each of the first rigid composite solar panel, the second rigid composite solar panel and the solar panel modules are arranged in a substantially straight line.

Solar arrays and related vehicles and assemblies

Solar arrays and related assemblies and methods

Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.

Systems for capturing a client vehicle

A deployable truss is formed from a plurality of column members connected at their ends where at least some of the column members are formed from column assemblies, each including a plurality of strut members that are at least connected to each other at a first and second end of the column assembly. For added rigidity, strut members of a column assembly may be connected to each other between the first and second ends using, for example, a rigidizable resin, a fixed spacer, or a deployable spacer. Connecting strut members between the ends of the column assembly provides mutual bracing to the strut members and decreases the free buckling length of the individual strut members. Spacers are preferably configured to radially space the strut members away from the longitudinal centerline of the column assembly to increase its moment of inertia, and hence its buckling strength.

Deployable truss having second order augmentation

Growing community of inventors

Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

Michael Edward McEachen