Sumbrella -Starshade NASA challenge

grabcad

Sumbrella , Sunbrella or Starbrella is a concept design of an ultralightstarshade structure to support the HOEE NASA program development.The main function of Sumbrella is to cast deep shadows of the target star if they are properly shaped to manage diffraction. The optimal shape has a central dark region surrounded by tapered petals ( leaf shape) The concept is foldable mechanical structure that can fit into a cylindrical package that is 14m long by 4.5m in diameter and expends to 100m diameter structure when deployed in space. The structure is selfdeploying thanks to centrifugal force generated by the satellite rotation.The design is inspired from regular umbrella mecanisme and from natural shadow casted by plants on our planet Earth .Disclaimer: This is just a preliminary Concept design for feasibility purpose - A draft. If this is approved by NASA team , I anticipate more development and optimisation and can be subject to patenting* Due to so many elements, the mechanical Stress analysis of this structure is little bit complicated and requires powerful machine to finish the job , I have tried with my personal machine which is one of the best in the market , but the calculation fails . will update you soon with analysis once its done.