Structural Design of Ultra-Lightweight Spin Axis Extendable Mast Using Inflation Extension Method
- Paper number
IAC-05-C2.1.B.07
- Author
Mr. Kazuki Watanabe, WEL Research Co., Ltd., Japan
- Coauthor
Mr. Akihito Watanabe, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Ken Higuchi, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Hiroaki Tsunoda, Japan
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Inflatable structure is excellent as a promising technology in terms of low weight, ease of packaging and reliability. It is expected not only to enhance the structural performance but also to explore a broad range of application opportunities if it substitutes for traditional mechanical large and deployable structures. However, the replacement is still far from practical viability. Because, it is concerned that there could be various risks in the replacement of conventional structure with the inflatable structure since there has not been enough actual data of on-orbit demonstration of inflatable technology. Given the this fact, it changed the point of view and surveyed satellite missions currently being planned in Japan to identify which mission can gain benefits from the inflatable structure if applied and make it success. An extendable boom antenna extended along the spin axis of three axis dipole antenna which will be required in the radio and plasma investigation mission was focused on in this study. The analysis of the requirements for structural design and detailed conceptual design was performed and the advantages of the inflatable structure were evaluated. A design supposing that the inflatable structure is applied for this antenna is analyzed and examined based on the experimental model which was manufactured for testing under microgravity environment using airplane parabolic flight. With the results of those as base, an application of inflatable structure will be beneficial for similar missions to increase their feasibility in the future.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-C2.1.B.07.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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