ABSTRACT
A film reflector folded into the bellows-type pattern is an example of a structure which looses its stability while being deployed by centrifugal forces when the film sheet is first folded along the axis and two ends of radial tethers are reeled up on the central cylinder thereafter. Based on the experimental research analysis, a conclusion was drawn which highlighted the necessity for employing the multi-beam folding patterns capable to maintain stability in the field of centrifugal forces at the expense of their multi-link nature. The process of deployment from spools combined with one driving mechanism had appeared to be completely controllable and was verified during the Znamya hardware ground tests and in-flight demonstration. Friction forces occurring in the “serpentine pattern” with the tether fed through would be beyond the control. Experimental and theoretical investigations of the tether system deployment contributed much to the understanding of how the transformable systems are deployed (including film sheets).
