Rigidizable Membranes for Space Inflatable Structures

Abstract

Space inflatable structures are being researched and developed to construct large, lightweight structures that are also low-cost. Rigidizing a space inflatable structure after inflation allows it to resist thermal deformation due to temperature variation and the damage caused by space debris or meteoroids. This presaged the need for lightweight and high-flexible rigidizable inflatable structures with good preservability before inflation. This paper proposes two types of rigidizable membranes, both are easy to fold and both retain their properties in storage. One is a one-layer rigidizable membrane that uses triaxial woven fabric impregnated with a long-shelf-life matrix resin. The other is a rigidizable membrane that has very long-term shelf life over a wide temperature range that uses cowoven fabrics. Inflatable structures are fabricated for trial purposes using the two proposed rigidizable membranes. It is confirmed that the inflatable structures achieve inflation deployment and rigidization. To clarify the situations of packing and deployment, inflatable tubes about 9.6 m long are manufactured that are creased specifically to ensure uniform deployment.