Active-Membrane Spacecraft for Challenging 21<sup>st</sup> Century Missions

Janson, Siegfried W., The Aerospace Corp.

doi:10.1117/3.2618157.ch24

Active-Membrane Spacecraft for Challenging 21^st Century Missions

Book: The Nanosatellite Revolution: 30 Years and Continuing

Editor(s): Henry Helvajian; Siegfried W. Janson

Author(s): Siegfried Janson

Published: 2023

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2618157.ch24

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the Phase I study results, the current Phase II development status, and new applications for the revolutionary Brane Craft concept. These expanded applications include asteroid exploration with the return of surface samples to LEO, rapid parcel delivery within cis-lunar space, lunar exploration, and planetary defense. Active-membrane spacecraft can play a key role in the next NewSpace stage of low-cost space exploration and exploitation.