Design Considerations and Deployment Simulations of Spinning Space Webs

ESA Advanced Concepts Team (ACT) has proposed to construct large space antennas and solar power systems by deploying and stabilising a large web in space. The idea originates from the Japanese “Furoshiki Satellite”. Since an overly complicated control system contributed to the partly chaotic deployment, ACT suggests to use centrifugal forces to deploy the space web. In this study the design and folding pattern of space webs are discussed. An analytical model and a finite element model used to describe the deployment, from the chosen folding, are presented. Free deployment of space webs is studied and a first control strategy that enables controlled and stable deployment is suggested.