Active Static Shape Control for Space Applications (Feasibility Study)

• Unité de recherche: INNOSUISSE
• Numéro de projet: 7083.1;7 EPRP-IW
• Titre du projet anglais: Active Static Shape Control for Space Applications (Feasibility Study)

Description succincte (Anglais)

Active Static Shape Control for Space Applications (Feasibility Study) -Space/ESA

Résumé des résultats (Abstract) (Anglais)

Due to environmental parameters (temperature, etc.), the structures of spacecraft will experience small distortions (few micrometers) after its launch in space, which can affect dramatically the performance of optical instruments. (e.g. PLANCK Telescope Structure made of cylindrical composite struts). The idea of this project is to look at the feasibility of correcting actively these distortions thanks to actuators applied on the composite struts. Active fiber composites (AFC) are a new type of piezoelectric actuators which are lightweight, highly flexible and possess high actuation capabilities in comparison with monolithic piezoceramics. They can therefore be applied on cylindrical geometries and develop forces that may be sufficient to activate the composite struts. The objective of this study is to manufacture large AFC prototypes which will be applied on the external circumference of the composite struts and to evaluate the longitudinal deformation, which can be generated by these new actuators.