Inflatable structure for aerospace application: Historical perspective and future outlook

Abstract

This is an overview topic of inflatable structure for aerospace application. An inflatable structure is a promising choice for a wide range of aerospace application. Among the application are inflatable wing, space antenna, solar array, inflatable aeroshell and inflatable aerodynamic decelerators. The advantages of inflatable structure are it offers the potential for compact stowing of lightweight structure. This will result in low storage volume, lightweight, efficient packaging, easy to deploy and ultimately lead to reduction in mission cost. Historically, inflatable technology has been introduced as a concept in aerospace application with a patent on flying glider that uses inflatable tubular segments connected to the fuselage. Over the years, many concepts of inflatable were introduced but only a small number of concepts have progress beyond the stage of design and even fewer manage to be completed and used extensively.