Creating and Testing Large Space Structures of High Precision Surface ELGUDJA MEDZMARIASHVILI, ALEXANDER IACOBASHVILI, GURAM BEDUCADZE * SUMMARY The authors describe work on the development of large structures for use in space. This work involves development of structural classes (types), theoretical studies, systems manufacturing and full scale structure testing. Collecting solar energy in space and sending it down to Earth is of great interest to humanity because of the large need for energy on Earth. Building any large solar power station requires industry and construction engineering in space. The problem, as a whole, as well as specific parts thereof virtually always requires certain engineering support, i.e. erection of supporting, reflecting and other large-sized structures in orbit. The Institute of Transformed Structures carries out research, design manufacturing, ground testing and supply of launchable prototypes. The work is performed in an unified manner and contains several trends (categories) which define structures that can be assembled in space. The trends are as follows: 1. Principles for structure shaping formation in limiting conditions 2. Development of the structure classes (types) for specific tasks, namely, large technological sites, concentrators, large-sized antennas, long elements etc. 3. Theoretical studies preceded by experimental work with scale models and structural pieces and optimization of models. This part of the studies is essentially comprised of the following three stages: the structure transportation stage (with a mathematical simulation), unfolding (deployment) and space operation. 4. Design of the structure and production of a kit for use in manufacturing the structure 5. Structure manufacturing, assembly and maintenance 6. Complete testing on the experimental structure prototypes with real conditions for environment modeling * The Institute of Transformed Structures of Georgian Technical University, USSR (Georgia) 380075 Tbilisi, M.Kostava str. 63, telex 212100 SU ALMAZ.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==