Softgoods Finite Element Analysis Applied to High-Precision Starshade Structure

This paper develops softgoods modeling methodology for high-precision structures by advancing finite element techniques. These techniques are applied to the specific challenges of the starshade technology. High-precision petal structure for starshade includes optical shield made of softgoods materials. Optical shield is a flexible membrane-like structure used to make the structure opaque and for micrometeoroid protection. On-orbit thermoelastic structural deformation of softgoods will pull on petal optical edges and increase petal optical edge distortion. Petal optical edge distortion to micrometer level is tied to optical interference stability, which uses optical destructive interference to significantly reduce star bright light before entering the telescope. This destructive interference is a part of instrument contrast performance, which is important for easier exoplanet discoveries. This research indicates that finite element analysis can be applied for analysis on-orbit shape stability of high-precision deployable structures. Starshade technology is developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory/ California Institute of Technology as a part of NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program. This paper describes various aspects of starshade, followed by detailed modeling approaches and the initial results.