Numerical Analysis on Optimal Deployment Configuration of Tightly-Folded Device-Laden Space Membrane

Abstract

This paper focuses on the deployment dynamics of space membrane structures, placing an emphasis on membranes folded and deployed in a manner in which inter-membrane interaction must be taken into account in order to produce accurate results. This is motivated by the ongoing development of the HELIOS mission; a spacecraft component scheduled to launch in 2022, which is expected to have high membrane entanglements during its deployment. Contact mechanics are added to a multi-particle method-based model to be able to simulate HELIOS-like membrane deployment configurations. The resulting deployment simulation is analyzed using the work rate of the deployment structure and membrane stress during deployment. Several deployment configurations are tested, and factors that amplify or suppress entanglement phenomena are identified.