Simulation and Testing of Deployable CFRP Booms for Large Space Structures

Abstract: Since about 15 years DLR has been investigating the use of deployable masts for large deployable space structures. Applications include antennas, solar arrays, solar sails, de-orbiting devices and many more. Currently, a project each on solar sails (GOSSAMER-1) and de-orbiting structures are in progress. Both use the rollable lightweight CFRP masts (booms) of DLR for the provision of structural stiffness. The deployable booms are hollow, thin walled structures. Thus, the behaviour under bending or compression load is dominated by stability effects, or more specifically, buckling. In the present work a FE model is developed and verified for the prediction of limit buckling loads of the booms. Patran/Nastran 2010.1 has been used for the simulations and a bending test rack has been designed to carry out practical experiments. The simulation results and experimental results are compared and the differences are discussed. In the present work the manufacturing process of the deployable booms is also discussed and improvements are suggested to improve the quality of the booms.