Advanced Folding Approaches for Deployable Spacecraft Payloads

Abstract

Radio communications apertures for spacecraft have long been implemented using deployable architectures in order to fit within the allowable launch vehicle volume. Apertures for optics missions have traditionally not been segmented because of the tight requirements on the deployed surface. By the nature of the problem, larger apertures are generally better, but complicate orbital delivery. While there are several reflectors commercially available, high packing ratios come at very high cost due to the extremely complex nature of the designs. Researchers at the Space Vehicles Directorate have been investigating ways to enable high packing ratios while reducing the design, integration, and testing complexity of deployable systems, thereby driving down cost and enabling greater mission capabilities. Recent advances in flexible composites have opened up the possibilities of packaging apertures using either distributed or concentrated strain. This paper offers an overview of recent work done to enable lower complexity deployable apertures. Several origami-inspired designs are presented including a flat spiral folding membrane, a parabolic antenna reflector, and a phased array structure.

An Approach to Designing Origami-Adapted Aerospace Mechanisms

“…Other applications of origami to space mechanisms include designing lightweight honeycomb structures, deployable phased array antennas, and telescopes [3,4,17]. These origami applications range from direct to abstract applications of origami.…”

“…The flasher was used to design deployable spiral membranes for RF and transmissive diffractive optics [3]. Adaptations to the flasher pattern have made it applicable to thick, rigid designs such as the origami solar panel array and the optical blanket of the starshade, a device to block out light pollution from other stars [2,5].…”

“…NASA has stated that there is a need to develop, design, and increase the technology readiness level of deployable antennas [18]. Past solutions include morphing shapes, umbrellalike folding, or large perimeter trusses [3,41,42]. These solutions often require a space at least the length of the radius of the antenna or significant infrastructure.…”

“…Origami has inspired the design of several aerospace products, including a deployable solar panel array [2,3], an eyeglass telescope [4], and a starshade [5]. It is anticipated that many more aerospace mechanisms could be developed through the use of a design process that adapts origami characteristics for use in devices and products.…”

Additively Manufactured Nanotechnology and Origami-Enabled Flexible Microwave Electronics

“…The introduction of deployable origami structures has introduced new methods for shelter construction [30], biomedical applications [31], and space applications [32]. These structures enable expanded and compressed ''end'' states and numerous in-between states.…”