Experimental Vibration Analysis of Inflatable Beams for an AFIT Space Shuttle Experiment

Abstract

The development of lightweight, large-aperture optics is of vital importance to the Department of Defense and the US Air Force for improving remote sensing capabilities. One way of constructing a large space structure is to use digitized, inflatable beams. This research presents the experimental vibration analysis of the ground testing for inflatable beams that will be used in an AFIT Space Shuttle ridized inflatable beams experiment. The natural frequencies, damping ratios, and bending modes were identified for the beams. Various parameters were modified to determine what affects the vibration characteristics of the beams. The test results were compared to an Euler-Bernouli beam model using a its approximation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA401458

Entities

People

  • Thomas G. Single

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Department Of Defense
  • Frequency
  • Large Space Structures
  • Measurement
  • Modal Analysis
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Physical Properties
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Shuttles
  • Spacecraft
  • Test Equipment
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Structural Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites