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Dynamic testing of an inflatable solar concentrator structure in a
thermal vacuum chamber as well as in ambient laboratory conditions
is described in detail. Unique aspects of modal testing for the
extremely lightweight inflatable are identified, including the use
of a noncontacting laser vibrometer measurement system. For the
thermal vacuum environment, mode shapes and frequency response
functions are compared for three different test article inflation
pressures at room temperature. Modes that persist through all the
inflation pressure regimes are identified, as well as modes that
are unique for each pressure. In atmospheric pressure and room
temperature conditions, dynamic measurements were obtained for the
expected operational inflation pressure of 0.5 psig. Experimental
mode shapes and frequency response functions for ambient conditions
are described and compared to the 0.5 psig results from the thermal
vacuum tests. Only a few mode shapes were identified that occurred
in both vacuum and atmospheric environments. This somewhat
surprising result is discussed in detail, and attributed at least
partly to 1.) large differences in modal damping, and 2.)
significant differences in the mass of air contained by the
structure, in the two environments. Results of this investigation
point out the necessity of testing inflatable space structures in
vacuum conditions before they can be launched. Ground testing in
atmospheric pressure is not sufficient for predicting on-orbit
dynamics of non-rigidized inflatable systems.
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