The Suaineadh Project: a Stepping Stone Towards the Deployment of Large Flexible Structures in Space
- Paper number
IAC-10.C3.4.4
- Author
Dr. Massimiliano Vasile, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Matthew Cartmell, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Ms. Christie Maddock, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Christopher Murray, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Ms. Norilmi Ismail, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Gunnar Tibert, KTH Mechanics, Royal Institute of Technology
- Coauthor
Dr. Johnny Oberg, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Mr. Andrew Mathieson, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Malcolm McRobb, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Tim Drysdale, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Griogair Whyte, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Paul Reynolds, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Rafael Ritterbusch, KTH, Sweden
- Coauthor
Dr. Leopold Summerer, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Oisin Purcell, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Pau Mallol, Sweden
- Coauthor
Dr. William Sandqvist, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Mr. Firew Zerihun Dejene, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Mr. Jianrong Zhang, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Ms. Molan Li, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Ms. Monica Alaniz Flores, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Mr. Muhammad Usman Khalid, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Mr. Muhammad Usman Tanveer, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Mr. Muhammad Yousaf Gulzar, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Coauthor
Mr. Waqas Zafar, Royal Inst. of Technology (KTH), Sweden
- Year
2010
- Abstract
A number of future space applications envisage the deployment of large flexible structures in space. From large aperture telescopes to new generation antennas for telecommunication, from solar sails to solar power satellites, all require putting a light weight flexible structure into space The Suaineadh project aims at testing the controlled deployment and stabilisation of space web. A space web is the archetype of all flexible structures and can be used as a support to assemble more complex structures. The deployment system is based on a simple yet ingenious control of the centrifugal force that will pull each of the four daughters sections apart. The four daughters are attached onto the four corners of a square web, and will be released from their initial stowed configuration attached to a central hub (or mother section). Enclosed in the central hub is a specifically designed spinning reaction wheel that controls the rotational speed with a closed loop controlled fed by the measurements from an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Five other IMU’s located within the web and central hub provide information on the surface curvature of the web, and progression of the deployment. Suaineadh is currently at an advanced stage of development: all the components are manufactured with the subsystems integrated and are presently awaiting full integration and testing. This paper will present the current status of the Suaineadh project and the results of the most recent set of tests. In particular, the paper will cover the overall mechanical design of the system, the electrical and sensor assemblies, the communication and power systems and the spinning wheel with its control system.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-10.C3.4.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.