Inflatable Antenna Experiment Explained

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 antenna correctly inflated, separating from Spartan-207, before re-entering Earth's atmosphere a few days later, on 22 May. 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.[4] [5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: IAE . Astronautix.com . 2013-04-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130522184735/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/iae.htm . May 22, 2013 . mdy-all .
  2. Web site: Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE) . Daviddarling.info . 2013-04-02.
  3. Web site: Preliminary Mission Report: Spartan 207/Inflatable Antenna Experiment . Steiner . Mark (NASA) . Freeland . Bob (JPL) . Veal . Gordon (LGarde) . NASA GSFC . 18 August 2014 .
  4. Web site: NASA Chief Technologist to Visit Tustin's L'Garde Inc Thursday. NASA News. 9 March 2012. 21 August 2013. September 14, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130914164829/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/mar/HQ_M12-040_Peck_Visits_LGarde.html. dead.
  5. News: Cohn. Meredith. Technology on the Rise: Tustin Firm's Inflatable Antenna Passes a Key Test in Orbit. 21 August 2013. Los Angeles Times. 22 May 1996.

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