Rigidizable materials for use in gossamer space inflatable structures

HCI meets Material Science

“…As a result, the concept of rigidisable materials, i.e. "materials that are initially flexible to facilitate inflation or deployment and become rigid when exposed to an external influence", has been introduced by Cadogan et al [24], with an extensive review of the different methods given in [210].…”

Review of Inflatable Booms for Deployable Space Structures: Packing and Rigidization

“…There is almost no limit to the shape of the composite component of the inflatable booms: it can form the skin itself, or a rigid superstructure built around an inflatable bladder [93]. Thermosetting resins have traditionally suffered from relatively short storage lives, although formulations with storage lives of many years now exist [72]. It is also possible that the retention of heat could prove difficult during deployment and curing, although the use of a multilayered insulation (MLI) blanket [71] can mitigate the problem.…”

“…Finally, thermoplastic foams that are pre-formed, stored and cooled on earth before heating above the T g in space which causes the foam to expand, have also been proposed [72].…”

The Impact on Flight Hardware Scavenging on Space Logistics

“…Inflated polymer structures have been rigidized by depositing aluminum vapor to make high quality reflectors and antennas. 12 This process can be extended by taking the shell formed by vapor deposition and then reinforcing it by a droplet or powder accretion process. This technique may be applied to produce smooth mechanical bearing surfaces.…”