Astronomy:Inflatable Antenna Experiment
The Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE) was a NASA experiment that began on May 19, 1996, consisting of an inflatable antenna made of mylar which was launched from the Space Shuttle Endeavour during the 1996 STS-77 mission, in cooperation with the satellite Spartan-207.[1][2]
The deployment of the antenna did not go as planned due to "residual air in the stowed structure and a significant amount of strain energy release from the torus structure"[3][4] leading to unexpected rotation but ultimately the correct shape. Later the deployed antenna was separated from the Spartan-207 spacecraft before re-entering Earth's atmosphere a few days later, on 22 May. The Spartan-207 spacecraft was retrieved and returned to earth on the Endeavour. IAE was intended to pave the way for the development of lightweight inflatable structures for space applications.[3] The IAE was constructed by LGarde, Inc., an American aerospace company based in Orange County, CA.[5][6]
References
- ↑ "IAE". Astronautix.com. http://www.astronautix.com/craft/iae.htm.
- ↑ "Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE)". Daviddarling.info. http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/I/Inflatable_Antenna_Experiment.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Steiner, Mark (NASA); Freeland, Bob (JPL); Veal, Gordon (LGarde). "Preliminary Mission Report: Spartan 207/Inflatable Antenna Experiment". NASA GSFC. http://www.lgarde.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Preliminary-Mission-Report.pdf.
- ↑ AP Archive (July 21, 2015). Space - Experimental Antenna Launched. Retrieved July 30, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "NASA Chief Technologist to Visit Tustin's L'Garde Inc Thursday". NASA News. 9 March 2012. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/mar/HQ_M12-040_Peck_Visits_LGarde.html.
- ↑ Cohn, Meredith (22 May 1996). "Technology on the Rise: Tustin Firm's Inflatable Antenna Passes a Key Test in Orbit". Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-22-fi-7110-story.html.
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