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Vaughan, D. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Vaughan, D. H..

4 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Modular reflector concept study

A study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of space erecting a 100 meter paraboloidal radio frequency reflector by joining a number of individually deployed structural modules. Three module design concepts were considered: (1) the deployable cell module (DCM); (2) the modular paraboloidal erectable truss antenna (Mod-PETA); and (3) the modular erectable truss antenna (META). With the space shuttle (STS) as the launch system, the methodology of packaging and stowing in the orbiter, and of dispensing, deploying and joining, in orbit, were studied and the necessary support equipment identified. The structural performance of the completed reflectors was evaluated and their overall operational capability and feasibility were evaluated and compared. The potential of the three concepts to maintain stable shape in the space environment was determined. Their ability to operate at radio frequencies of 1 GHz and higher was assessed assuming the reflector surface to consist of a number of flat, hexagonal facets. A parametric study was performed to determine figure degradation as a function of reflector size, flat facet size, and f/D ratio.

Vaughan, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Modular reflector concept study

The feasibility was studied of constructing large space structures, specifically a 100 meter paraboloidal R.F. reflector, by individually deploying a number of relatively small structural modules, and then joining them to form a single large structure in orbit. The advantage of this approach is that feasibility of a large antenna may be demonstrated by ground and flight tests of several smaller and less costly subelements. Thus, initial development costs are substantially reduced and a high degree of reliability can be obtained without commitment to construction of a very large system. The three candidate structural concepts investigated are: (1) the deployable cell module; (2) the paraboloidal extendable truss antenna adapted to modular assembly; and (3) the modular extendable truss antenna (META).

Vaughan, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Modular space structures

The Extendable Tetrahedral Truss orbiting antenna concept, comprising the use of prefabricated, automatically deployable lattice structures and their subsequent assembly into larger structures suitable for microwave antenna use, is described. It is assumed that the Space Shuttle Orbiter payload bay will be able to accommodate only modular portions of the structural system required, and that the Space Shuttle crew will furnish the manual labor entailed by orbital assembly. It is concluded that a deployable beam module system may be a more elegant design solution than the alternative triangular-module system.

Vaughan, D. H.↗