Truss Strut and Node Connection System for On Orbit Robotic Assembly of Optical Support Structures

Abstract

View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2021-1494.vid In the quest to build larger in space observatories, the use of robotically in-space assembled structures will be required for the creation of telescopes with greater than 15-meter apertures. In NASA’s reference in-space assembled telescope (iSAT) a large truss structure, forming the backplane of the telescope, will be assembled from deployable truss modules. These deployable modules require nodes which provide sufficient degrees of freedom to enable deployment while providing optical levels of precision and stiffness, and potentially the transfer of power, data, and fluids throughout the superstructure. Future looking systems may find it advantageous for individual struts or nodes to be replaceable without complete structure disassembly or allow for complete disassembly to the strut – node level for repurposing. Here we present the Precision Multifunctional Autonomous Connections system (PMACs), a truss structure and node connection concept which solves these challenges and enables a viable route towards in space robotically assembled optical support structures.