Dimensional stability of composites during the assembly of space structures
Space structures must be designed to resist the harsh space environment, which include but it is not limited to atomic oxygen, ionizing radiation, charged particle plasma, man-made debris and micrometeoroids. Thus, the spacecraft must be designed to have high stiffness, low thermal expansion and high dimensional stability. Composite materials can be designed to fulfill those requirements to be used in space applications. Common structures that use composite materials allow for the transfer of information for space research and communication services, such as radio, television and telephone. These materials possess high strength-to-weight ratios, resulting in improved performance and financial savings.