Adaptive structures for deployment/construction of structures in space

Abstract

The application of adaptive structures to the structural design of space structures is examined with attention given to facilitating their construction in space and enhancing reliability. A modified approach based on traditional techniques is presented which incorporates the loads analysis by Wada (1979) and the application of adaptive structures to control structural motion. An analytical technique is described for the deployment/construction of the structure in which each step of the assembly sequence is analyzed. The use of adaptive structures is shown to permit the static adjustment of the structure after assembly in its operational environment. The concepts presented to incorporate adaptive structures in the deployment of large space structures are expected to improve the reliability and reduce the cost of the total systems.