Residual air inflated systems for CubeSats

Clark, Ruaridh and Macdonald, Malcolm (2013) Residual air inflated systems for CubeSats. In: 64th International Astronautical Congress 2013, 2013-09-23 - 2013-09-27.

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Abstract

This paper presents a case for the use of residual air inflated (RAI) structures on CubeSat platforms, focusing on the development of a high altitude, de-orbiting device that utilises this deployment method. Residual air inflation relies on small pockets of air, trapped within a sealed membrane, expanding when the structure is exposed to vacuum. This expansion of trapped air then inflates the membrane. The application of this deployment method for a technology demonstrator, to be flown on a European sounding rocket in March 2014, shall be discussed. The demonstrator is a proposed passive, high altitude, end-of-life, deorbiting system that utilises solar radiation pressure. The development of this device from analysis and design through to construction shall be covered with the particular challenges present on a CubeSat platform discussed. The paper shall conclude by proposing possible applications of CubeSat based RAI structures and deployment mechanisms, focusing on the potential for deployment mechanisms and debris capture structures.

ORCID iDs

Clark, Ruaridh ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4601-2085 and Macdonald, Malcolm ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4499-4281;
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