Abstract
With a 10% reversible compressive strain in more than 10 deformation cycles, the shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) could be used for deployable structure and releasing mechanism. In this paper, without traditional electro-explosive devices or motors/controllers, the deployable SMPC flexible solar array system (SMPC-FSAS) is studied, developed, ground-based tested, and finally on-orbit validated. The epoxy-based SMPC is used for the rolling-out variable-stiffness beams as a structural frame as well as an actuator for the flexible blanket solar array. The releasing mechanism is primarily made of the cyanate-based SMPC, which has a high locking stiffness to withstand 50 g gravitational acceleration and a large unlocking displacement of 10 mm. The systematical mechanical and thermal qualification tests of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware were performed, including sinusoidal sweeping vibration, shocking, acceleration, thermal equilibrium, thermal vacuum cycling, and thermal cycling test. The locking function of the SMPC releasing mechanisms was in normal when launching aboard the SJ20 Geostationary Satellite on 27 Dec., 2019. The SMPC-FSAS flight hardware successfully unlocked and deployed on 5 Jan., 2020 on geostationary orbit. The triggering signal of limit switches returned to ground at the 139 s upon heating, which indicated the successful unlocking function of SMPC releasing mechanisms. A pair of epoxy-based SMPC rolled variable-stiffness tubes, which clapped the flexible blanket solar array, slowly deployed and finally approached an approximate 100% shape recovery ratio within 60 s upon heating. The study and on-orbit successful validation of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware could accelerate the related study and associated productions to be used for the next-generation releasing mechanisms as well as space deployable structures, such as new releasing mechanisms with low-shocking, testability and reusability, and ultra-large space deployable solar arrays.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chilan C M, Herber D R, Nakka Y K, et al. Co-design of strain-actuated solar arrays for spacecraft precision pointing and jitter reduction. AIAA J, 2017, 55: 3180–3195
Okhotkin K G, Vlasov A Y, Zakharov Y V, et al. Analytical modeling of the flexible rim of space antenna reflectors. J Appl Mech Tech Phy, 2017, 58: 924–932
Lagrange R, López Jiménez F, Terwagne D, et al. From wrinkling to global buckling of a ring on a curved substrate. J Mech Phys Solids, 2016, 89: 77–95
Murphey T W, Francis W, Davis B, et al. High strain composites. In: 2nd AIAA Spacecraft Structures Conference. Kissimmee, Florida: AIAA, 2015. 0942
Lendlein A, Kelch S. Shape-memory polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed, 2002, 41: 2034
Leng J, Lan X, Liu Y, et al. Shape-memory polymers and their composites: Stimulus methods and applications. Prog Mater Sci, 2011, 56: 1077–1135
Leng J S, Du S Y. Shape Memory Polymer and Multifunctional Nanocomposite. London: CRC Press, 2010
Lan X, Liu Y, Lv H, et al. Fiber reinforced shape-memory polymer composite and its application in a deployable hinge. Smart Mater Struct, 2009, 18: 024002
Liu Y, Du H, Liu L, et al. Shape memory polymers and their composites in aerospace applications: A review. Smart Mater Struct, 2014, 23: 023001
Auffinger F, Fisher M, Maddux M. Shape memory polymer (SMP) actuation technology, In: 2010 Conference on Sensors and Smart Structures Technologies for Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace Systems. San Diego, 2010. 1–8
Koerner, H, Strong R J, Smith M L, et al. Polymer design for high temperature shape memory: Low crosslink density polyimides. Polymer, 2013, 54: 391–402
Spence B, White S. Directionally controlled elastically deployable roll-out solar array. US Patent, 8,683,755, 2014-04-01
Hoang B, Spence B, White S, et al. Commercialization of deployable space systems roll-out solar array (ROSA) technology for space systems loral (SSL) solar arrays. In: 2016 IEEE Aerospace Conference. Montana, 2016. 1–12
Spence B R, White S, LaPointe M, et al. International space station (ISS) roll-out solar array (ROSA) spaceflight experiment mission and results. In: 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC). Hawaii, 2018. 3522–3529
Fang H, Li S, Ji H, et al. Dynamics of a bistable miura-origami structure. Phys Rev E, 2017, 95: 052211
Ko K E, Kim J H. Thermally induced vibrations of spinning thin-walled composite beam. AIAA J, 2003, 41: 296–303
Blumenschein L H, Gan L T, Fan J A, et al. A tip-extending soft robot enables reconfigurable and deployable antennas. IEEE Robot Autom Lett, 2018, 3: 949–956
Hu Y, Chen W, Gao J, et al. A study of flattening process of deployable composite thin-walled lenticular tubes under compression and tension. Compos Struct, 2017, 168: 164–177
Barrett R, Francis W, Abrahamson, et al. Qualification of elastic memory composite hinges for spaceflight applications. In: 47th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference. Newport: AIAA, 2006. 1–10
Maji A K, Lips J A, Azarbayejani M. Measurement and analytical modeling of the deployment rate of elastic memory composites. Exp Mech, 2012, 52: 717–727
Lan X, Liu L, Liu Y, et al. Post microbuckling mechanics of fibre-reinforced shape-memory polymers undergoing flexure deformation. Mech Mater, 2014, 72: 46–60
Lan X, Hao S, Liu L, et al. Macroscale bending large-deformation and microbuckling behavior of a unidirectional fiber-reinforced soft composite. J Compos Mater, 2020, 54: 243–257
Keller P, Lake M, Francis W, et al. Development of a deployable boom for microsatellites using elastic memory composite material. In: 45th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics & Materials Conference. Palm Springs, 2004. 1603
López Jiménez F, Pellegrino S. Folding of fiber composites with a hyperelastic matrix. Int J Solids Struct, 2012, 49: 395–407
Lin J K H, Knoll C F, Willey C E. Shape memory rigidizable inflatable (RI) structures for large space systems applications. In: 47th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference. Newport: AIAAA, 2006. 1–10
Zhang J, Dui G, Liang X. Revisiting the micro-buckling of carbon fibers in elastic memory composite plates under pure bending. Int J Mech Sci, 2018, 136: 339–348
Liu Y, Guo Y, Zhao J, et al. Carbon fiber reinforced shape memory epoxy composites with superior mechanical performances. Compos Sci Tech, 2019, 177: 49–56
Peffer A, Denoyer K, Fosness E, et al. Development and transition of low-shock spacecraft release devices. In: IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, Vol 4. Big Sky, 2000. 277–284
Nava N, Collado M, Cabás R. REACT: Resettable hold down and release actuator for space applications. J Materi Eng Perform, 2014, 23: 2704–2711
Wei H, Liu L, Zhang Z, et al. Design and analysis of smart release devices based on shape memory polymer composites. Compos Struct, 2015, 133: 642–651
Zhao H, Lan X, Liu L, et al. Design and analysis of shockless smart releasing device based on shape memory polymer composites. Compos Struct, 2019, 223: 110958
Li F, Liu L, Lan X, et al. Ground and geostationary orbital qualification of a sunlight-stimulated substrate based on shape memory polymer composite. Smart Mater Struct, 2019, 28: 075023
Liu Z, Li Q, Bian W, et al. Preliminary test and analysis of an ultralight lenticular tube based on shape memory polymer composites. Compos Struct, 2019, 223: 110936
Leng J, Wu X, Liu Y Effect of a linear monomer on the thermomechanical properties of epoxy shape-memory polymer. Smart Mater Struct, 2009, 18: 095031
Xie F, Huang L, Liu Y, et al. Synthesis and characterization of high temperature cyanate-based shape memory polymers with functional polybutadiene/acrylonitrile. Polymer, 2014, 55: 5873–5879
Xiao X, Qiu X, Kong D, et al. Optically transparent high temperature shape memory polymers. Soft Matter, 2016, 12: 2894–2900
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
The authors appreciate the direction and help from Institute of Telecommunication Satellite, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), and the support from State Key Laboratory of Space Power-Sources Technology where the flexible blanket solar array was specially developed for SMPC-FSAS project. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11632005).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lan, X., Liu, L., Zhang, F. et al. World’s first spaceflight on-orbit demonstration of a flexible solar array system based on shape memory polymer composites. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 63, 1436–1451 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-020-1681-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-020-1681-0