Design Study for the Asteroid Redirect Vehicle (ARV) Composite Primary Bulkhead

By: Nasa, National Aeronautics and Space Adm

A design study was undertaken of a carbon fiber primary bulkhead for a large solar electric propulsion (SEP) spacecraft. The bulkhead design, supporting up to 16 t of xenon propellant, progressed from one consisting of many simple parts with many complex joints, to one consisting of a few complex parts with a few simple joints. The unique capabilities of composites led to a topology that transitioned loads from bending to in-plane tension and shear, with low part count. This significantly improved bulkhead manufacturability, cost, and mass. The stiffness-driven structure utilized high-modulus M55J fiber unidirectional prepregs. A full-scale engineering demonstration unit (EDU) of the concept was used to demonstrate manufacturability of the concept. Actual labor data was obtained, which could be extrapolated to a full bulkhead. The effort demonstrated the practicality of using high-modulus fiber (HMF) composites for unique shape topologies that minimize mass and cost. The lessons are applicable to primary and secondary aerospace structures that are stiffness driven. Cressman, Thomas O. and Paddock, David A. Glenn Research Center; Langley Research Center NASA/TM-2017-219570, E-19417, GRC-E-DAA-TN40730

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1794008608
• ISBN13: 9781794008601
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 38 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"