Suaineadh - Deployment of a spinning web in a microgravity environment
The challenge
The experiment objectives are to deploy a space web in March 2012 from a spinning central assembly by exploiting centrifugal forces and to stabilise the structure by an active control method. This is achieved using an on-board reaction wheel that transfers angular momentum from the reaction wheel to the central assembly, thus initiating spinning motion. Operational data of the mission will be accumulated visually by cameras and by on-board sensors.
How it is solved
In Dec 2010 , the Suaineadh team participated in the REXUS 11/12 selection workshop at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC in Noordwijk, Holland) to compete for a place onboard a REXUS sounding rocket. “The REXUS (Rocket-borne Experiments for University Students) programme is realised under a bilateral Agency Agreement between the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB). The Swedish share of the payload has been made available to students from other European countries through a collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA)”. The Suaineadh team was successful in winning a place to launch the experiment into a micro-gravity environment in March 2012 from ESRANGE, Kiruna, Sweden.
Why it is important
The technology being developed is scalable in its design meaning that the same principle could be used to develop much larger structures, whilst reducing the mass/volume normally needed for such projects with obvious benefits. Space webs present a vast range of exciting opportunities including:
- Solar propulsion in the form of solar sails
- Solar panels
- Large scale antennas for delving deeper into the universe
- Scaffolding platforms from which to build larger space structures
- The potential to the economy is as vast as the project itself.
Lead Researcher: Malcolm McRobb