Membrane Optics System Utilizing Deployable Rigidizable Conical Booms

"Phase II will carry out a system study of a membrane optics system utilizing inflatably deployed rigidizable conical booms. The boom packaging/deployment concept was conceived by L'Garde and results in a minimum weight system. It requires essentially zeroadditional mass. The use of rigidizable inflatably deployed booms for deployment of membrane space structures shows great promise because of their light weight and small, conformable, packaged volume. During Phase I, we applied a very innovative L'Gardepackaging method to a rigidizable inflatably deployed conical tube and accomplished controlled deployment in the laboratory. The method is scalable and applicable for the deployment of large membrane reflector optics for space applications (~25m). Therigidization system is based on elastomeric like resins that become rigid as the temperature is reduced below its glass transition temperature (Tg). The boom is deployed when it is above its Tg (and hence flexible) and is operated by passively cooling itbelow its Tg when it becomes rigid. The rigidization system is being addressed as part of our LRA (Large Radar Antenna) Program with JPL. The program will further address the following issues: (a) the rigidization system,(b)deployment control,(c) boomgeometric accuracy/repeatability, and (d) resultant membrane reflector surface accuracy. A concept design of a membrane reflector system will be created and will be used as a baseline fo