Scaling Law for Spin Deployment of Large-Membrane Structures Acceptable for Geometrical Mismatch

Abstract

There have been several advanced space missions using large gossamer space structures proposed recently, such as a spinning solar sail. However, only certain missions have been implemented, primarily because the on-orbit dynamic behavior of such structures cannot be precisely predicted through ground tests. To address this limitation, a scale law between a small- and a full-scale model of large membrane structures is proposed herein. In addition, small or reduced-order models for numerical simulations are proposed to reduce computation costs. However, the development of a small model, which has to be completely identical (geometrically) to the full-scale model, is challenging. Thus, a scale law between the small- and full-scale models of a large gossamer space structure, which is geometrically non-similar to the full-scale model, is also proposed. The scale law is also applied to the spin deployment motion of thin membrane and veri fi ed using numerical simulations.