DEPLOYABLE LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURE CAPABLE OF BEING RIGIDIFIED AFTER BEING DEPLOYED, METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME, AND USE THEREOF FOR EQUIPPING A SPACECRAFT

摘要

The invention concerns a structure comprising a rigging (1-2) consisting of at least one flexible rope (1, 2) impregnated with a hardening substance, with controllable hardening, designed to rigidify at least one rope after it has been deployed and extended. The structure may comprise at least one rigging mesh, whereof at least one flexible rope (1, 2) is impregnated with the hardening substance and bound to itself and/or to another rope of the rigging by at least one bond (6). Said structure is independent of any means of deployment, but may also comprise a deploying device (3) independent of the rigging and extending the ropes (1, 2) of the structure and maintaining them taut while the hardening material is cured. The invention is in particular applicable to deployable structures capable of being rigidified on board space crafts.