Neutral buoyancy test results of a deployable space beam

Large erectable and deployable space structures have been studied extensively in the past few years with a view toward usage in the near future for space platforms. The paper covers in particular the operational testing of a double-cell, double-folding cubic aluminum module at the Marshall Space Flight Center Neutral Buoyancy Simulator. Joining methods, deployment kinematics, configurations and operation time lines were analyzed using the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (RMS) and EVA crewmen. Results of the test were considered successful, with crew tasks accomplished and the structural design adequate for flight design.