A Predictive Model for Micrometeoroid Damage to Gossamer Structures

TL;DR

This paper develops a predictive model for micrometeoroid damage to inflatable space structures, integrating fragmentation theory, hyper-velocity testing, and gas expenditure analysis to optimize shield design and lifespan.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical and empirical framework for estimating micrometeoroid damage and gas loss in gossamer space structures, enhancing damage prediction accuracy.

Findings

The model accurately predicts damage rates near 1 AU.

Shield effectiveness can be optimized based on the model.

Gas expenditure estimates inform mission lifetime planning.

Abstract

A typical inflatable reflector for space application consists of two thin membranes with a parabolic shape. It is critical to understand the interaction of the inflatable and the micrometeoroid environment to which it is exposed. This interaction leads to a series of penetrations of the inflatable membrane on entrance and exit of the impacting particle, creating a pathway for gas escape. To increase the fidelity of the damage expected, we examine the literature for descriptions of micrometeoroid fragmentation and present a theoretical formulation for the damage caused by an impacting particle to the entrance and exit membranes. This theory is compared to an initial set of hyper-velocity tests for micrometeoroid-sized particles on thin film membranes. We use the results of these tests to produce a predictive model. This model is applied to estimate the damage rate near the 1 AU location and output predictions for the effectiveness of a micrometeoroid shield to reduce the damage on the lenticular and effectively optimize its lifetime. Lastly, we apply the kinetic theory of gasses to develop expressions for the expenditure of gas over a specified mission lifetime due to penetrations. Although this paper examines the specific case of an inflated lenticular protected by extra membrane layers, our predictive model can be applied for any gossamer structure composed of polyimide membranes.