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Finite Element Modeling of Deployment, and Foam Rigidization of Struts and Quarter Scale Shooting Star ExperimentInflated cylindrical struts constructed of kapton polyimide film and rigidized with foam have considerable practical application and potential for use as components of inflatable concentrator assemblies, antenna structures and space power systems, Because of their importance, it is of great interest to characterize the dynamic behavior of these components and structures both experimentally and analytically. It is very helpful to take a building-block approach to modeling and understanding inflatable assemblies by first investigating in detail the behavior of the components such as the struts. The foam material used for rigidization of such cylinders has varying modulus, which is a function of different factors, such as density of the foam. Thus, the primary motivation of the tests and analytical modeling efforts was to determine and understand the response of foam-rigidized cylinders for different densities, sizes, and construction methods.

In recent years, inflatable structures have been the subject of renewed interest for space applications such as communications antennae, solar thermal propulsion, and space solar power. A major advantage of using inflatable structures in space is that they are extremely lightweight. This makes inflatables a perfect match for solar thermal propulsion because of the low thrust levels available. An obvious second advantage is on-orbit deployability and subsequent space savings in launch configuration. It can be seen that inflatable cylindrical struts and torus are critical components of structural assemblies. In view of this importance, structural dynamic and static behaviors of typical rigidized polyimide struts are investigated in this paper. The paper will focus on the finite element models that were used to model the behavior of the complete solar collector structure, and the results that they provided, as compared to test data.
Document ID
20020068820
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Contribution to a larger work
Authors
Larry Leigh, Jr.
(South Dakota State University Brookings, United States)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: Research Reports-2001 NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program
Publisher: Marshall Space Flight Center
Volume: NASA/CR-2002-211840
Issue Publication Date: July 1, 2002
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG8-1786
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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