Affordable On-Orbit Demonstration of Very Flexible Large Space Structures Control and Pointing

CSA Engineering proposes the design, development, qualification, and on-orbit use of a demonstrator of control and pointing for a scaled very flexible large space structure system architecture intended to simulate the PowerSail. On-orbit testing is theonly way to properly capture the dynamic and related attitude control behavior of tension dependent structures such as tethers and membranes that dominate the structure of the PowerSail and many other future space mission concepts. The major proposeddevelopment will achieve this in an affordable manner. This will be done by using a launch vehicles upper stage to simulate the PowerSail's tethered host structure as well as providing additional support like telemetry and power. In addition todeveloping and flying the on-orbit demonstrator and supporting avionics, CSA Engineering intends to demonstrate practical attitude control algorithms, structural vibration mitigation and damping approaches, and alternative/supplementary attitude controlhardware all intended to reduce on-orbit station keeping fuel requirements. Activities in Phase I will concentrate on establishing the feasibility of the proposed effort with regard to technical compatibility and cost and demonstrating the functionalityof several key components. Phase II effort will concentrate on taking the proposed concept to flight.The proposed effort is directly targeted at supporting the needs of the PowerSail project to find an innovative and affordable way to reduce programmaticrisk through the demonstration of on-orbit attitude control and pointing of large very flexible structures. The lessons learned from this experiment are expected to be extremely beneficial to the PowerSail as well as other similar mission concepts basedon gossamer or membrane structures which CSA Engineering would be well positioned to support. We also expect an additional market for facilitating affordable on-orbit testing of larger structures and deployment methods for major aerospace companies and amarket to develop for systems for actuating solar sail vanes and trim tabs.