DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFLATABLE SELF-RIGIDIZING SPACE SHELTER AND SOLAR COLLECTOR FROM HONEYCOMB SANDWICH MATERIAL

Abstract

Properties obtainable by various techniques of curing polymer systems were evaluated and a resin system for the rigidization of expandable space structures was developed. Several fabrics which closely resembled a true honeycomb were used in the fabrication of the desired items. The final items of the development program were a lightweight, expandable, self-rigidizing 5 ft. diameter solar collector and a lightweight, expandable self-rigidizing 7 ft. diameter by 7 ft. high cylindrical space shelter. Both final items were rigidized by vapor phase catalysis of a chemical rigidizing resin system. The study revealed that it is feasible and even desirable to design, fabricate, and rigidize flexibel, self-rigidizing solar collectors and shelters for space application using a honeycomb type sandwich material as the basic structural material.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0440225

Entities

People

  • Ivan W. Russell
  • Nels S. Hanssen
  • William J. Mckillip

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical And Dental Materials
  • Chemistry
  • Honeycomb Structures
  • Laminated Glass
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Plastics
  • Polymer Degradation
  • Polymeric Films
  • Reinforced Plastics
  • Resins
  • Three Dimensional

Readers

  • Nuclear Civil Defense.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Space