Tendon-actuated Structural Modules for Enhanced Segmented Aperture Reflectors

This work proposes the low-TRL investigation of modular tensegrity systems for robotic assembly of segmented aperture reflectors. It incorporates key advancements from deployable structures to enable enhanced reflectors with the capability to be actively controlled for high-precision apertures. This work is based upon the tensegrity paradigm, which is a minimum mass structural concept. Building upon years of research in deployable structures, the proposed work is a logical next step towards in-space assembly. To this end, the proposal aims to answer key research questions that lie at the intersection of deployable structures, reachability analysis, and closed-loop control to facilitate the design of enhanced in-space assembled segmented apertures. This study will involve the low- TRL investigation of multibody dynamics and control with an emphasis on constructing in-lab prototypes to verify and validate the developed control algorithms.

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