Inflatable system based on polyurethanic foam

REDEMPTION experiment for Rexus / Bexus programme allowed to test several solutions to use a particular foam. This substance is a bi-component poliuretanic foam which expands and becomes rigid. Thanks to REDEMPTION it has been possible to test this foam in near space conditions. One of the tests of REDEMPTION experiment was to use this foam like a inflatable rigid structure to deploy a boom. This test was a success also during ground test. This kind of boom can be deployed in a couple of seconds and thanks to a particular property of the foam can be bigger in volume than the two substances boarded on the space system. This boom could also supply a structure with good mechanical properties. Is a project completely conceived, designed and realised within the Space Robotic Laboratory (SRL) of the II Faculty of Engineering of the University of Bologna "ALMA MATER STUDIORUM", based on REDEMPTION (REmoval of DEbris using Material with Phase Transition: IONospherical tests) experiment has been selected to participate to REXUS/BEXUS 2012 Programme. REDEMPTION allowed to test several solutions to use a particular foam. This substance is a bi-component poliuretanic foam which expands and becomes rigid. The paper describes the IBS inflatable system's characteristics, the mission's configuration, concept, design, process, mechanical assembling and the expected results.©2012 by the International Astronautical Federation.