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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Hierarchical trusses feature beams made of trusses (with different cross-sections). They must be joined together at off-orthogonal angles with appropriate load transfer. A key challenge will be the geometry problem of designing robotically assemblable unit cell parts that can provide generalized off-orthogonal 3D joining while maintaining appropriate structural stiffness/strength. Modeling (ABAQUS) and rapid prototyping will be leveraged to design a part for final robotic assembly demonstration.
Robotically assembled large hierarchical truss structures would transform the structural performance of ultra-light starshades by ~ an order of magnitude mass savings (as well as other structural assembly applications like antennas, lunar communication towers, solar supports, etc.) Joining methods for such structures are an open problem.
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