Aussie_Space_Nut: telescoping and tapered tube station (2014)

Design summary

  • v1 (Mar 2014). Collapsible 50 m tubes (4 × 12.5 m telescoping segments) that fit an F9 fairing. Six tube assemblies plus bracing cables make a rigid station Aussie_Space_Nut, 2014-03-20; Aussie_Space_Nut, 2014-03-20.
  • Redesign. 100 m radius at 3 rpm, chosen from Hall's comfort chart. Tapered tubes, 6 station system modules, an 8 m hub and a non-rotating rear section Aussie_Space_Nut, 2014-03-23.
  • v2 (2014). Nested tapered tubes in 12.5 m segments with 150 mm walls, 5 m OD tapering to 1.5 m ID. They fit an F9 fairing and assemble to 100 m.
  • 2 tubes + 2 habs = 4 launches for 1 g at 3 rpm and 100 m radius.
  • Batteries move along the arms for balance Aussie_Space_Nut, 2015-03-12; Aussie_Space_Nut, 2015-03-13.
  • Operations: stop rotation to dock, use a ladder, spin with Bigelow station-keeping thrusters Aussie_Space_Nut, 2015-03-15.
  • Requirements Aussie set out at the start: a 0 g non-rotating section plus a 1 g rotating section, linked without detaching; water shielding built up over time; water as station-keeping propellant; food growth Aussie_Space_Nut, 2014-02-17.

Critiques raised

  • Paul451: dozens of joints to seal; a segmented tube is not rigid without pressure; a single inflatable is better. At 10 rpm, 0.5 g needs only 9 m diameter Paul451, 2015-03-15; Paul451, 2015-03-16.

Open questions

  • Can telescoping joints be made reliably airtight?

Sources

Forum posts