Future earth orbiting, solar system and celestial body autonomous missions can benefit from spacecraft systems and instruments that have significantly lower weight and volume over current state of the art designs. Incorporating electronic traces or signal paths directly into the spacecraft or instrument structure can provide a significant savings in weight and volume. In addition, local computer processing power, increased operational speed and larger memory storage are achievable by using embedded or direct chip attach design methods. The objective of this technology development is to demonstrate the feasibility of electronic circuit boards that function as structural members within a subsystem. This dual functionality will be achieved by utilizing printed circuit board materials that demonstrate structural properties of strength and stiffness that can compete with current spacecraft structural applications that require the use of aluminum and titanium. Recent developments in printed circuit board fabrication processes has given printed circuit boards increased strength and stiffness by incorporating single or multiple graphite weave layers within the printed circuit board structure during the lamination fabrication process. In addition to potential reductions in mass through the elimination of metal spars, circuit card chassis', panels, backplanes and cabling this technology development will provide the ability to implement high density local data processing capability directly at or near instruments such as cameras or sensors. This technology development will test the strength, stiffness and reliability of custom sample multi-functional structural box beams utilizing layers of graphite weave within the printed circuit board.


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    Title :

    Multi-Functional Spacecraft Structures Integrating Electrical and Mechanical Functions


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2007-03-01


    Size :

    5757616 byte





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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