Abstract
An essential technique to develop large-sized structures for space is design verification procedure. Ground testing is an effective and useful estimation method by comparing with analysis results. However, the effect of gravity to act upon larger structure obscures the probe into the structural characteristics per se. Especially, implementation of dynamic simulation on ground is difficult to evaluate the motion under micro-gravity. Jigs including gravity compensation system are a key point to conduct the testing. In this paper, we discuss deployment feasibility of large deployable reflector by demonstrating ground tests. Modular mesh reflector concept in which the structure consists of several basic modules is efficient to recognize gravity effect. The deployment testing results show the marginal utility for ground testing based on the modular structure.
