Inflatable Space Structures1Inflatable Space Inflatable Space StructuresStructuresMatthew AllgeierMatthew AllgeierErin KellyErin KellyASEN 5519ASEN 5519Final PresentationFinal PresentationInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures22Presentation OverviewPresentation OverviewIntroductionIntroductionBackgroundBackgroundTechnical issuesTechnical issuesApplicationsApplicationsEnvironmental Environmental interactionsinteractionsMaterial selectionMaterial selectionAssembly methodsAssembly methodsDeployment Deployment TechniquesTechniquesSources of errorSources of errorAnalysis/VerificationAnalysis/VerificationPiezoelectric Piezoelectric DeformationDeformationFuture usesFuture uses••Inflatable AntennaInflatable Antenna••Solar sail boomsSolar sail booms••Inflatable radiatorInflatable radiatorTake Home LessonsTake Home LessonsInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures33IntroductionIntroductionInterest in inflatable deployable Interest in inflatable deployable space structures since 1950s.space structures since 1950s.Potential for:Potential for:••Low cost flight hardwareLow cost flight hardware••Exceptionally high mechanical Exceptionally high mechanical packaging efficiencypackaging efficiency••Deployment reliability Deployment reliability ••Low weightLow weightInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures44BackgroundBackgroundEarly Inflatable StructuresEarly Inflatable StructuresContraves Inflatable StructuresContraves Inflatable StructuresInflatable Antenna ExperimentInflatable Antenna ExperimentInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures55Early Inflatable Structures Early Inflatable Structures Echo 1Echo 1••Launched Aug. 12, 1960Launched Aug. 12, 1960••Diameter = 100 ft (30 m)Diameter = 100 ft (30 m)••Frequencies = 960 and Frequencies = 960 and 2390 MHz2390 MHz••Weight 136 lbsWeight 136 lbs••Lifetime = 8 yearsLifetime = 8 years••Made of 12Made of 12µµm thick Mylar m thick Mylar coated w/ 2000 coated w/ 2000 angstroms of vaporangstroms of vapor--deposited aluminumdeposited aluminumEcho 2Echo 2••Launched Jan. 25, 1964Launched Jan. 25, 1964••Diameter = 135 ft. (40 m)Diameter = 135 ft. (40 m)••Orbit altitude = 1000 mi. Orbit altitude = 1000 mi. (1600 km) also Echo 1(1600 km) also Echo 1••Lifetime = 5 yrsLifetime = 5 yrs••Made of Mylar coated with Made of Mylar coated with Aluminum on the inside Aluminum on the inside ••Improved inflation system Improved inflation system to improve smoothness to improve smoothness and sphericityand sphericityInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures66Early Inflatable Structures cont.Early Inflatable Structures cont.Goodyear Inflatable StructuresGoodyear Inflatable Structures••From late 1950s to mid 1960s they From late 1950s to mid 1960s they developed:developed:••Search radar antenna, Radar calibration sphereSearch radar antenna, Radar calibration sphere••Lenticular parabolic reflectorLenticular parabolic reflectorInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures77Contraves Inflatable Structures Contraves Inflatable Structures A 10 x 12 meter offset reflector antenna A 10 x 12 meter offset reflector antenna for land mobile communications at Lfor land mobile communications at L--band band was built and evaluated for surface was built and evaluated for surface precision and other mechanical precision and other mechanical characteristics characteristicsInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures88Inflatable Antenna ExperimentInflatable Antenna ExperimentNASA projectNASA projectLaunched with STSLaunched with STS--77 on May 29, 199677 on May 29, 1996Experiment objectives:Experiment objectives:••Verify large structures can be built at low costVerify large structures can be built at low cost••Show high mechanical packaging efficiency of Show high mechanical packaging efficiency of large inflatable structureslarge inflatable structures••Demonstrate high deployment reliabilityDemonstrate high deployment reliability••Verify manufacturing with high surface Verify manufacturing with high surface precision precision ••Measure the reflector surface precision on orbitMeasure the reflector surface precision on orbitInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures99IAE (cont.)IAE (cont.)2 basic elements2 basic elements••Inflatable reflector assemblyInflatable reflector assembly••Torus/strut supporting structureTorus/strut supporting structureInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures1010ApplicationsApplicationsCurrent usesCurrent uses••IAEIAE••NASA Shuttle Space SuitNASA Shuttle Space Suit••MK 50 Torpedo Recovery SystemMK 50 Torpedo Recovery System••Collapsible Hyperbaric Chamber Collapsible Hyperbaric ChamberInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures1111System RequirementsSystem RequirementsIssues that must be overcome before Issues that must be overcome before ISS can be widely usedISS can be widely used••LifetimeLifetime••Deployment techniquesDeployment techniques••Structure/Environment interactionsStructure/Environment interactions••Rigidization techniquesRigidization techniques••Membrane Shape InaccuraciesMembrane Shape Inaccuracies••Accurate pressure controlAccurate pressure control••Withstand solar/space radiationWithstand solar/space radiationInflatable Space StructuresInflatable Space Structures1212Environmental InteractionsEnvironmental InteractionsInflatable structures have the most Inflatable structures have the most significant interaction with the significant interaction with the space environment of all space space environment of all space structuresstructures••Resistance to solar radiation Resistance to solar radiation environmentenvironmentLow thermal expansionLow thermal expansionLow long term creepLow long term creep••Micrometeoroid penetrationMicrometeoroid penetrationRequirement to maintain pressureRequirement to maintain pressure••Oxygen atoms in LEOOxygen atoms in LEOSome materials require hydrocarbon Some materials require hydrocarbon coatingscoatings••Thermal issuesThermal issuesTemp varies from Temp varies from --200F to 200F200F to 200FMultilayer Insulation
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