new structure for body-mounted solar array satellite
- Paper number
IAC-20,C2,IP,22,x57510
- Author
Prof. Li Ma, China, Beijing Spacecrafts,China Academy of Space Technology (CAST)
- Coauthor
Prof.Dr. Kai WANG, China, Beihang University (BUAA)
- Year
2020
- Abstract
Following DFH-2 satellite, new Chinese body-mounted solar array satellite is being developed. Usually, satellite platform will vibrate with deployment of solar wings. Considering the requirement for stability, traditional solar wings were not used. And body-mounted solar array is adopted for this occasion. Meanwhile, for decreasing thermal induced vibration to platform, thermal insulation material must be applied. In this case, a new satellite structure was born. On the outer surface of sandwich panel, polyimide foam was laid, which prohibits cold and hot from going into the body of satellite. Solar cells are installed on CFRP skin bonding with polyimide foam. This rigid-flexible coupling structure has been successfully achieved for Chinese new body-mounted solar array satellite, which is very different from normal sandwich or laminated CFRP structure in satellite. Low thermal conductivity and low density porous polyimide foam is specially developed by Chinese researchers for space application. Its mechanical properties, thermal insulation and space environment resistance totally meet the need of this satellite. Suitable manufacture processes have been grasped, including precise machining method for soft foam and bonding process for joining sandwich panel, foam, and CFRP skin. Aiming to inspect interior quality of the structure, non-destructive test (NDT) must be performed. In view of distinct performance of foam, sound absorption and water absorption, normal supersonic NDT is invalid. Moreover, two bonding interfaces exist in this structure. Checking overall inner situation in single test is not feasible. Proprietary NDT method has been got for examining the structure. The new structure for body-mounted solar array satellite has passed various tests, such as static test, vibration test, and thermal-vacuum test. The new satellite will be launched in the new future.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)