A joint system for constructing orbital and extra-terrestrial structures includes a node receptacle having a node surface and a finger receiver projecting outwardly of the node surface, and a strut element including a support member, a finger element shiftably supported on the support member, a shell system shiftably supported on the support member and connected to the finger element, and an actuator mounted to the support member and operatively connected with the shell system. The actuator is operable to shift the finger element and the shell system into contact with the node receptacle. The finger element cooperates with the finger receiver to form a first load path and the shell system cooperating with the node surface to form a second load path.