Ast & Science, LLC

University System of Maryland

Ast&defense, LLC

Raymond J Sedwick

Abel Avellan

Adam H Halperin

Darren J Zanon

A closed-loop motion monitoring and control system for structural mode control in a large, flexible space structure. The system uses combined sensor data to detect low-magnitude, low-frequency motion, estimate structure deformation constants, and damp structural vibrations with electromagnetic torque application.

AOCS system to maintain planarity for space digital beam forming using carrier phase differential GPS, IMU and magnet torques on large space structures

A communication system has a phased antenna array configured to communicate via a plurality of beams with a wireless device, such as user equipment (e.g., a smart phone). The plurality of beams defines a field of view of the phased antenna array, the field of view having a plurality of cells and each of the plurality of beams is associated with one of the plurality of cells within the field of view. A processing device detects the wireless device within the field of view and determines a coarse geographic location of the wireless device within the field of view of the wireless device when the wireless device is within the field of view, or within a cell. The system further determines a fine geographic location for the wireless device based on frequency offset (due to Doppler) and signal flight time.

Geolocation of radio frequency devices using spaceborne phased arrays

A communication system has a phased antenna array configured to communicate via a plurality of beams with a wireless device, such as user equipment (e.g., a smart phone). The plurality of beams define a field of view of the phased antenna array, the field of view having a plurality of cells and each of the plurality of beams is associated with one of the plurality of cells within the field of view. A processing device detects the wireless device within the field of view and determines a coarse geographic location of the wireless device within the field of view of the wireless device when the wireless device is within the field of view, or within a cell. The system further determines a fine geographic location for the wireless device based on frequency offset (due to Doppler) and signal flight time.

An antenna system is configured for use in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) around Earth. The system has a plurality of antenna satellites coupled together to form a phased array. Each of the plurality of antenna satellites have an antenna body with an antenna and a solar cell. A processing device determines an orientation of the plurality of antenna satellites and position the phased array in the orientation based on an analysis of the solar cell of the antenna bodies facing the sun, the antenna of the antenna bodies facing the Earth, and maintaining a torque equilibrium of the phased array.

System for tracking solar energy

A ground station has a power management communication system for use with a satellite having one or more solar cells that generate solar power, an energy storage that collects solar power from the one or more solar cells and provides stored energy, and one or more electronic components. The power management communications system has a learning artificial intelligence algorithm that allocates solar power from the one or more solar cells and stored energy from the energy storage to the one or more electronic components, based on a number of factors including communication needs, adjustable parameters, and performance indicators. The user can indicate the desired communication to be achieved, and the system determines the appropriate operating parameters for the satellite.

AI power management system for effective duty cycle for space constellations

A system includes a satellite assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of satellite devices, where each satellite device includes a processor device, an impulse actuator, and a memory storing instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor device to access a sequence of waypoints. The sequence of waypoints identifies a first waypoint and is associated with formation of a distributed structure including the plurality of satellite devices. The instructions are further executable by the processor device to initiate movement of the satellite device toward the first waypoint at least by initiating activation of the impulse actuator.

System and method for the assembly of large distributed structures in space

A wireless energy transfer system includes a primary and one (or more) secondary oscillators for transferring energy therebetween when resonating at the same frequency. The long range (up to and beyond 100 m) efficient (as high as and above 50%) energy transfer is achieved due to minimizing (or eliminating) losses in the system. Superconducting materials are used for all current carrying elements, dielectrics are either avoided altogether, or those are used with a low dissipation factor, and the system is operated at reduced frequencies (below 1 MHz). The oscillators are contoured as a compact flat coil formed from a superconducting wire material. The energy wavelengths exceed the coils diameter by several orders of magnitude. The reduction in radiative losses is enhanced by adding external dielectric-less electrical capacitance to each oscillator coil to reduce the operating frequency. The dielectric strength of the capacitor is increased by applying a magnetic cross-field to the capacitor to impede the electrons motion across an air gap defined between coaxial cylindrical electrodes.

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University Park, MD, United States of America

Raymond J Sedwick