Location
Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel
Start Date
30-4-1998 1:00 PM
Description
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is currently engaged in developing and demonstrating several advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle mechanism technologies. A variety of mechanisms are required to accomplish spacecraft and launch vehicle functions such as deployment, articulation, positioning, and isolation. Current off-the-shelf mechanisms such as pyrotechnics, gimbals, paraffin actuators, and electro-mechanical devices may not be able to meet future satellite requirements. For this reason, advanced technologies are needed that will increase mechanism efficiency in terms of cost, weight, reliability/survivability, and power consumption. In addition to developing these technologies, it is necessary to prove them in flight demonstrations in order to make technology transition feasible. This paper summarizes the status of several space-related programs being conducted by AFRL for developing and demonstrating new technology to support future DoD space requirements. One of these flight programs will fly the first whole-spacecraft isolation system on a Taurus launch vehicle in January 1998 and another will demonstrate the first solar array with overall array specific power greater than 150W/Kg in the fall of 2002. This solar array is being developed for flight on the third New Millennium Program technology demonstration flight.
Paper Session III-C - Advanced Mechanisms For Space Applications
Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is currently engaged in developing and demonstrating several advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle mechanism technologies. A variety of mechanisms are required to accomplish spacecraft and launch vehicle functions such as deployment, articulation, positioning, and isolation. Current off-the-shelf mechanisms such as pyrotechnics, gimbals, paraffin actuators, and electro-mechanical devices may not be able to meet future satellite requirements. For this reason, advanced technologies are needed that will increase mechanism efficiency in terms of cost, weight, reliability/survivability, and power consumption. In addition to developing these technologies, it is necessary to prove them in flight demonstrations in order to make technology transition feasible. This paper summarizes the status of several space-related programs being conducted by AFRL for developing and demonstrating new technology to support future DoD space requirements. One of these flight programs will fly the first whole-spacecraft isolation system on a Taurus launch vehicle in January 1998 and another will demonstrate the first solar array with overall array specific power greater than 150W/Kg in the fall of 2002. This solar array is being developed for flight on the third New Millennium Program technology demonstration flight.
Comments
Space Technology- Developments From The Military
Session Chairman: James C. Hobin, General Manager, Launch Base Support Project, Johnson Controls, Inc.
Session Organizer: Duncan McCullouch