2017 Volume 3 Pages 17-00082
In almost all Space Solar Power Systems (SSPS) concepts proposed in the world, constructing large space structures of several hundred meters or more is necessary. On the other hand, a largest space structure realized by traditional hand made construction methods is the International Space Station (ISS). However, the problem is that this construction method is dangerous, expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, an automatic construction method for large space structures is required to solve the problems. In this paper, we propose a construction method for the 100-m-class plate structure composed of many panels toward the realization of the SSPS. The advantages of this method are that very difficult technologies are not required and it is a concrete method. From the result of the ground experiments, we showed that the basic functions of a truss deployment machine in the proposed construction method is feasible.
