Structural Dynamics Experimental Activities in Ultra-lightweight and Inflatable Space Structures

Download or read book Structural Dynamics Experimental Activities in Ultra-lightweight and Inflatable Space Structures written by Richard S. Pappa and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper reports recently completed structural dynamics experimental activities with new ultra-lightweight and inflatable space structures (a.k.a., "Gossamer" spacecraft) at NASA Langley Research Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Nine aspects of this work are covered: 1) inflated, rigidized tubes, 2) active control experiments, 3) photogrammetry, 4) laser vibrometry, 5) modal tests of inflatable structures, 6) in-vacuum modal tests, 7) tensioned membranes, 8) deployment tests, and 9) flight experiment support. Structural dynamics will play a major role in the design and eventually in-space deployment and performance of Grossamer spacecraft. Experimental research and development such as this is required to validate new analysis methods.