Detailed Design of the Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment

AFIT/GA/ENY/06-M05 This research effort builds upon the previous design of the Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment (RIGEX). RIGEX is a Space Shuttle experiment that will study the effects of the zero-gravity space environment on the deployment and modal analysis of three inflatable and rigidizable tubes using a sub-Tg rigidization technique. By comparing space-based modal testing with similar ground-based tests, the experiment intends to verify and validate ground-testing techniques as a viable substitute for zero-gravity tests, thus minimizing cost and complexity for future Air Force and commercial spacecraft rigidization implementations. With the transition from the Space Shuttle’s Get-Away-Special (GAS) canister to its Canister for All Payload Ejections (CAPE) in 2004, there have been several requirements and associated modifications affecting the design. The result of these modifications, along with further refinements made to previous efforts, are presented here as the detailed design of the experiment. Along with the design modifications