EXPANDABLE SPACE TRUSS STRUCTURE 1985-1986
PROJECT WITH JAN KAPLICKY, FUTURE SYSTEMS
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL TO NASA
A cradle containing a stowed truss elevates outwards from the Shuttle payload bay and rotates through 90° on the Shuttle's yaw axis. Two truss segments slowly unfold and deploy in the port and starboard directions, controlled by spring-loaded hinged joints at the nodes and longeron midpoints. At full extension, the joints automatically lock into place. The cradle then releases the truss and the Shuttle's robotic arm manipulates it into position on the Station. Astronauts then carry out structural checks and install power, data and fluid systems. The truss structure eventually chosen for the International Space Station comprised a series of pre- fabricated segments delivered to orbit and assembled in place, end to end, using the Station's robotic arm.
As engineering design of the Space Station began in earnest in the early 1980s, three structural concepts were under review for the Station's external framework. They were: 1 - astronaut-assembled structures in space from kits of components; 2 - structures manufactured in space by automated machines; 3 - preassembled structures that unfolded and deployed in space. This NASA proposal was in the third category.