Design study for a high reliability five-year spacecraft tape transport

Abstract

Following the establishment of the overall transport concept, a study of all of the life limiting constraints associated with the transport were analyzed using modeling techniques. These design techniques included: (1) a response analysis from which the performance of the transport could be determined under operating conditions for a variety of conceptual variations both in a new and aged condition; (2) an analysis of a double cone guidance technique which yielded an optimum design for maximum guidance with minimum tape degradation; (3) an analysis of the tape pack design to eliminate spoking caused by negative tangential stress within the pack; (4) an evaluation of the stress levels experienced by the magnetic tape throughout the system; (5) a general review of the bearing and lubrication technology as applied to satellite recorders and hence the recommendation for using standard load carrying antifriction ball bearings; and (6) a kinetic analysis to determine the change in kinetic properties of the transport during operation.