Project Title:
Satellite Structural Systems Research
Description:
The new generation of deployable space structures utilize thin, high-strain composite components in place of traditional metallic mechanisms. These high-strain composites offer many benefits including the ability to stow into much smaller volumes, being much lighter weight, and having near-zero coefficients of thermal expansion. The challenges of designing structural systems utilizing these composites include their integration into larger satellite systems. Using holistic design approaches that consider the effects of a subsystem on the larger system’s performance, and the ability to balance all strengths and weaknesses of a given design is vital.
With guidance, students will investigate novel technology applications, composite component designs, and/or deployable structure designs to further development of deployable structures for future Air Force and DoD satellites. Students will have access to CAD modeling software (SolidWorks), Computational and FEM software (MatLab, ANSYS), and AFRL’s state-of-the-art fabrication facilities. Students will be expected to participate in the production of composite components and other hardware to support testing of their designs.