A novel rigid deployable aeroshell architecture has been developed, where rigid panels with a thermal protection system layer are connected between retractable ribs. Following origami principles, an optimal fold pattern is selected and imposed on the panels to ensure efficient flat stowage during launch and repeatable deployment. The design process includes minimizing the number of folds to reduce stacking height and maximizing the angles between each fold line to avoid an unfavorable aerothermodynamic response. The dynamic behavior of the optimal design is analyzed with the aid of a dynamic multibody analysis model. Results from the dynamic model show that the process of deployment is highly sensitive to panel geometry (especially panel thickness and hinge design). Robust, repeatable, and controllable deployment is most readily achieved with a small (but nonzero) panel thickness and selection of interpanel hinges, which allow a degree of over-rotation, avoiding a premature hard stop, which would otherwise prevent full deployment. Modeled results have been verified through experimental testing of a 0.4-m-diam scale model.

已经开发了新颖的刚性可展开的航空器壳体结构，其中具有热保护系统层的刚性面板连接在可伸缩肋之间。遵循折纸原则，选择了最佳折叠方式并将其施加到面板上，以确保在发射和可重复部署期间有效地平放积载。设计过程包括最小化折叠数以减少堆叠高度，并最大化每个折叠线之间的角度以避免不利的空气热力学响应。借助于动态多体分析模型来分析最佳设计的动态行为。动态模型的结果表明，展开过程对面板几何形状（尤其是面板厚度和铰链设计）高度敏感。健壮，可重复，面板厚度小（但不为零）和选择面板间铰链最容易实现可控展开，这允许一定程度的过度旋转，避免过早的硬停，否则会阻止完全展开。通过对0.4毫米直径的模型进行实验测试，已验证了建模结果。