STRATHSAT-R2: DEPLOYABLE STRUCTURE DEMONSTRATOR ON REXUS 15

摘要

The primary objective for StrathSat-R2 was to deploy two novel inflatable structures in milli-gravity and near vacuum conditions. These structures were to inflate by harnessing the pressure exerted by a small quantity of air, contained inside sealed sections, that expands when exposed to greatly reduced external pressure. To achieve the necessary vacuum conditions for this residual air inflation, two CubeSat-based ejectables carried the inflatable structures onboard the REXUS 15 sounding rocket. The ejectables were then launched from the rocket at around 80 km altitude with structure deployment filmed from on-board the rocket as well as by each Free-Flying Unit (FFU). The structures were selected as demonstrators for novel mission concepts; the first was a pyramidal structure that was intended for use as a passive orbit transfer and de-orbiting device, and the second contained a mor-phing inflatable with multiple cells, which used air distribution to alter its state. The experiment design focused on delivering a reliable ejection and structure deployment mechanism as well as a recovery system with sufficient redundancy. The recovery system consisted of a GPS receiver, Globalstar antenna and RF beacon, and through the successful operation of this system an ejectable was recovered in spite of its non-ideal landing. Contact with the other ejectable was lost at lift-off and highlighted weaknesses in the design that were only exposed during this, the second launch, for this experimental setup.