Membrane Space Structures Research Articles

展開する膜(<特集>膜の機能発見)

展開する膜(<特集>膜の機能発見)

On-Orbit Dynamics and Control of Large Scaled Membrane with Satellites at its Corners

A large thin membrane space structure which is deployed and controlled by a set of satellites at its corners has been proposed as a promising future space structure for missions requiring large surface areas, such as large solar powered satellites or large communications antennas. This paper discusses the dynamics and control of such a large scaled membrane structure on orbit. Modeled as multiple small rigid panels connected to each other by springs and dash pods, its dynamics on orbit, especially the interactions of the attitude and orbital motion, is analyzed by simulations. A simple control law to keep the shape and attitude of the membrane is proposed and its performance is examined by numerical analyses and simulations.

The Use of Membrane Structures in Space

Due to their special characteristics, inflatables and membrane structures are ideally suited for space applications. They are lightweight and consequently easily placed into earth orbit, are flexible with resulting ease in erection and dismantling and use the material's strength to its maximum in a natural way. The shape of enclosures formed by pneumatic structures will depend primarily on the service function of the structure and the economics of the material and its transportation into outer space. Although some terrestrial response characteristics of these structures will be useful in their design for space applications, new studies, both analytical and experiemental, will likely be required. This paper briefly summarizes some available results concerning the response of membrane/inflatable structures to various loading conditions, suggests methods of transferring terrestrial experience with these structures to space applications and discusses general design concepts/problems likely to be encountered in possible applications of pneumatic and membrane structures in outer space.