Development, design, and testing of powersphere multifunctional ultraviolet-rigidizable inflatable structures

The continuing advancement of microsatellites and nanosatellites for space application has identified a need for an innovative, simple, low mass, and low packing volume solar array system for this class of satellites. As microsatellites and nanosatellites become more capable, their demand for power also increases. The result of decreasing satellite size, thus surface area, and increasing power demand is the inevitable problem of "power choke" on satellite systems with body- mounted solar cells. The use of traditional, rigid, solar arrays necessitates larger stowage volume and mass, and also requires gimbals for pointing. In previous studies, the "PowerSphere" solar array system has been identified as one of the solutions to this "power choke" problem. This power system has several advantages over the traditional system, including lower mass, lower stowage volume, and the elimination of the pointing mechanism. The development of PowerSphere multifunctional ultraviolet-rigidizable (UV-rigidizable) inflatable structures will be beneficial not only to micro- and nanosatellites; it will enable the advancement of Gossamer type structures. Given the requirements of PowerSphere to be low mass, low packing volume, and low power for deployment, ultraviolet (UV) cured composite (i.e. UV-rigidizable) materials have been identified as the optimal candidate for this application. In conjunction with UV-rigidizable material, these structures incorporate thin film flex- circuit to make them multifunctional. Two multifunctional structures in the PowerSphere system will utilize the UV-rigidizable material, namely the inflatable hinge and the inflatable isogrid center column. The PowerSphere team, which is assembled collaboratively from Aerospace, ILC Dover, Lockheed Martin, and NASA Glenn, has made significant advancements in the development of multifunctional UV rigidizable inflatable structures.