Satellites - Bus: Structural Support

The structure that holds up the satellite is very important
A satellite must have a frame just like a bicycle or a bed does
The frame must be very lightweight and as compact as possible
It must be rigid enough to protect satellite, but also able to conform to the design criteria of a particular satellite
A frame can be made out of many of the same materials as those used to protect the satellite's instruments or out of the material used to protect satellite from collisions
Frames can use special design shapes that are especially sturdy
If it uses shapes like eggs, hexagon patterns, and honeycomb patterns, the satellite has more structural integrity
A material commonly found on satellites is Kevlar
Kevlar is the trademark name for a fibre discovered and manufactured by the company DuPont
It has high strength and stiffness, yet low weight and low density
It is resistant to high temperatures, non-conductive, and durable
Kevlar fibers are five times as stong as steel on an equal weight basis, and 43% less dense than fiberglass
Kevlar can also dampen vibrations, making it a useful material for parts jarred by the extreme vibrations of a space launch
Kevlar is also used in bullet proof vests and as thermal reinforcer inside space shuttle rocket fuel tanks
In 1991, an experimental 1,200 pound NASA satellite was tethered to the space shuttle using a 12-mile cable of Kevlar that was thinner than a pencil

Produced by Galactics.
Comments: galactics@spacesim.org.
Last updated on: 8 August 1997.