Simulation and experiment for inflatable control deployment of rolled booms

One of the challenges is to control the dynamic properties of the structures during the inflation and deployment. Inflatable booms used to deploy and support space structures are a key component for many space inflatable structures. For flexible rolled booms the deployment processes with Velcro straps are analyzed by gas-structure interaction theory. A finite element model described by ALE method is presented, and variation of pressure field in the rolled boom is simulated by the model. Moreover the mechanics characters of the rolled boom at launch are calculated. Lastly, inflatable deployment experiment of a 3m rolled boom with Velcro is conducted, and the experimental results indicate that the rolled boom with Velcro control deployment is able to be used as a deployable mode of inflatable space structures, and this numerical simulation is effective, which can be reference for deployment process in the space.