Concepts of Deployable Space Structures

Abstract

This paper presents several concepts of deployable space structures with emphasis on their relation to the basic principles of mechanics on which the concepts depend. The following subjects are treated: the coilable longeron extendible mast and the theory of “Elastica” by Euler and Kirchhoff; the two-dimensionally deployable array and the theory of elastic surfaces (“Plate Elastica”) by Miura and Tanizawa; the variable geometry truss and the theory of truss by Mobius; the tension truss antenna and the theory of truss.