In order to establish a construction method for a large space structure of several hundred meters or more required by the Space Solar Power Systems (SSPS), it is necessary to carry out a long series of experiments on orbit while gradually expanding the structure size because the current technology level to realize the large space structure is low. If we can carry out the experiments as space use missions like telecommunication, earth observation and so on, we can increase the possibility to carry out the experiments because the cost-effectiveness of the experiments is improved. Therefore, we aim to establish a construction method for a 30-m-class large planar antenna required by a radar to observe precipitation from a geostationary orbit as the immediate target. In order to establish the 30-m-class large planar antenna construction method with high feasibility and expandability for the SSPS, we proposed a method to deploy and connect antenna panel rows one after the other. And we verified feasibility for critical functions of large planar antenna deployment and connection mechanisms used in the proposed method by two step ground experiments. First, we carried out the experiment for the Electromagnet Connection Mechanism (ECM) which is the key device of the antenna deployment and connection mechanisms and confirmed that the basic function concept of the ECM can be realized. Next, we carried out the deployment experiment for panel rows equipped with the ECM and demonstrated the deployment and connection function concept of second and subsequent row panels because these functions are the critical functions.
Large-scale space structures have been usually launched in a single compact folded configuration and deployed to its functional configuration in space. However, this method is useful only to some extent because larger-scale construction cannot be transported as a single load. The whole structure must be divided into modules; multiple launches, deployments and assembly of them are indispensable. In this paper we propose a new model of constructing large-scale structures in space. To be specific, we deal with construction of the Solar Power Satellite (SPS). We show a design of deployable tensegrity module, assembled by using specially designed space manipulator robots. Result of structural analysis and deployment experiment of a prototype module are shown.
In almost all Space Solar Power Systems (SSPS) concepts proposed in the world, constructing large space structures of several hundred meters or more is necessary. On the other hand, a largest space structure realized by traditional hand made construction methods is the International Space Station (ISS). However, the problem is that this construction method is dangerous, expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, an automatic construction method for large space structures is required to solve the problems. In this paper, we propose a construction method for the 100-m-class plate structure composed of many panels toward the realization of the SSPS. The advantages of this method are that very difficult technologies are not required and it is a concrete method. From the result of the ground experiments, we showed that the basic functions of a truss deployment machine in the proposed construction method is feasible.
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