Structural development and analysis of an inflatable deployment and rib support large reflector model
- Paper number
IAC-05-C2.1.B.10
- Author
Mr. Tian Zhenhui, Harbin Institute of Technology, China
- Coauthor
Mr. Yunliang Li, Harbin Institute of Technology, China
- Coauthor
Dr. Huifeng Tan, Harbin Institute of Technology, China
- Coauthor
Prof. Xingwen Du, China
- Year
2005
- Abstract
To construct large space reflector, weight, fold efficiency, surface precision and dynamic properties should be balanced when we make structural design selection. Inflatable space reflector made of rigidizible membrane, have good weight and fold efficiency, but hardly achieve high surface precision and good dynamic properties. A large-scale and light weight reflector model mixed with inflatable deployment and rib-support structure is introduced in this paper. Structural shape and selection are well designed to guarantee this reflector model easily to achieve higher surface precision. A five diameter parabolic reflector model is currently under development and laboratory testing. Some problems during model making, shape control processing as well as control ability of the deployment are discussed. Part structure and deployment properties are tested to evaluate the possibility of these reflectors for space application. A micro-gravity test platform is developed to demonstrate the deployment of the reflector model from fold state. 3D shape measurement system with digital photogrammetry has been used to evaluate the surface precision of the reflector model. Compared with inflatable/rigidizible membrane reflectors and elastic deployed reflectors, initial results from tests showed this kind of reflector have relative simple deployment mechanisms and might easily to get higher surface precision.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-C2.1.B.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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