Initial Operation and Deployment Experiment of Inflatable Extension Mast in SIMPLE on JEM Exposure Platform in ISS

Abstract

A space inflatable extension mast designed on an idea of structural rigidization simulation system has been projected and provided to verify its engineering technology and to obtain the structural property for a long-term operation in space environment. The inflatable mast extended successfully in orbit, and has sent the telemetry data for more than seven months, so far. The experiment progress meets both its minimum and full success criteria for this mast. The simulation model of this mast is made up based upon the ground test, and predicts the natural frequency in orbit. Lightweight extendible masts are fundamental and essential structural elements to construct space structures; therefore a pivotal first step of conditions to utilize space inflatable structures has been actually achieved.