Development and Testing of the Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment

Abstract

The purpose of this research project is to develop the Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment (RIGEX) from a computer-based model into a space-qualified prototype. Past research projects have developed RIGEX's command and control, structural analysis, and integration with the orbiter. This thesis details the organization, assembly, and test planning for the RIGEX protoflight model. Strict requirements imposed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) must be fulfilled for any payload to travel into space. Based on the requirements set forth by NASA documentation, this thesis establishes appropriate assembly procedures for the construction of a space payload. Detailed design changes are described, as well as any problems encountered during assembly. Various lessons learned throughout the course of this project are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA470053

Entities

People

  • Brady D. O'neal

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

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

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Environment
  • Fabrication
  • Fasteners
  • Frequency
  • Heat Transfer
  • Lessons Learned
  • Materials
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Space Environments
  • Standards
  • Structural Analysis
  • Students
  • Verification Tests

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Space