Gossamer inflatable structures have been identified as a technology that can provide enhancements in the performance characteristics of many space deployable systems such as large antennas, s olar arrays, and sunshields. These structures provide significant packed volume and mass advantages over conventional structures in many cases because of their flexibility during packing and use of high strength and stiffness materials. These advantages are possible through the use of rigidizable composite

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... materials that enable the inflatable structure to become rigid post inflation, therefore eliminating the reliance on inflation gas to provide structural support. Several classifications of rigidizable materials have been identified over the last several decades that provide a wide range of performance characteristics. Among these are thin metal foil and polymer film laminates, thermosetting and thermoplastic composite laminates. Each of these classifications of materials have sub-groups of materials that become rigid from exposure to a specific influence such as heat, cold, radiation, etc. These rigidizable materials, being composite in nature, are compiled of various matrix materials (the materials responsible for the rigidization), reinforcements, and supporting polymer film layers. Variations in combinations of these materials provide a wide range of performance characteristics to optimize the design of large Gossamer structures. This paper will examine system requirements for rigidizable materials, performance characteristics of several materials, and provide examples in use.