Rigidized Inflatable Veritex(TM) Structured For RF Antennas, Phase I

Cornerstone Research Group inc. (CRG) proposes to demonstrate the feasibility of a lightweight, deployable Veritex TM supporting annulus structure to support large radio frequency (RF) antennas. VeritexTM composites are similar to other high-performance composites, with the exception that CRG's shape memory polymer (SMP) resin, VeriflexTM, is used as the matrix resin. This allows for easy manipulation of the composite above the activation temperature, making it a unique material for use in dynamic structures and other applications requiring both load strength and "shape-shifting" modulus flexibility. In this Phase I program, CRG will develop and evaluate materials and related fabrication technologies based on VeritexTM, and develop a deployment scheme with built-in redundancy. This technical approach fulfills NASA's requirement for a very large, lightweight, on-orbit deployable RF antenna aperture structure by offering a practical, deployable, structural support that will address the short comings of current rigidized inflatable structures.