Structural
instabilities
In-space manufacturing and assembly
Active structures
Check out our SpaceFlight Mechanics Episode
Prof. Royer talks about the present and future of space structures, including deployables, in-space manufacturing and assembly, and the role structural mechanics research can play in creating game-changing spacecraft concepts!
News
Introducing a new ISAM concept: snap-through shaping of thin-shell deployable structures
We present a novel programmable structure which can be shaped directly on-orbit through elastic buckling in a new hybrid in-space assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) process. This process takes inspiration from recently proposed in-space deformation processing and enables the shaping of ultra-thin composite deployable booms to create large space structures. Check out the conference paper here.
A novel data-driven approach for imperfection-insensitive thin-shell structures
Thin-shell structures exhibit an unpredictable buckling behavior caused by their extreme sensitivity to localized imperfections. This work presents a data-driven framework to obtain imperfection-insensitive thin-shell structures based on an approach that replaces traditional eigenmode-based imperfection modeling with localized dimple imperfections. This framework combines new insights into buckling localization, Natural Gradient Boosting, and multi-objective optimization. Check out the paper published in the International Journal of Solids and Structures here.
New study on understanding the effect of local imperfections on thin-shell buckling
We employ a perturbation approach to quantify the effects of local geometric imperfections on the buckling energy barrier. A probing methodology is used to map stability landscapes, quantify energy barriers, and explore the buckling behavior of both perfect and imperfect geometries.The findings offer strategies for taking advantage of imperfections in modulating the buckling energy barrier to maximize thin-shellsperformance. Check out the conference paper here.
The lab presented at AIAA SciTech 2025!
The lab will develop novel deployable structures for the U.S. Space Force SPAR Institute!
Cornell will be developing subsystems for the next generation of nuclear-powered spacecraft which would be able to "maneuver without regret". In particular the Cornell Space Structures Laboratory will develop the deployable structure which will support high thermal conductivity ceramic tiles forming large deployable radiators. Check out the official press release here.
Azadeh and Siamand participated in SMDS!
Azadeh and Siamand designed the TREX spacecraft to rendezvous with a temporarily captured asteroid in the Earth-Moon system, as part of the Cornell SmallSat Mission Design School! Stay tuned for more details about the spacecraft, and the whole mission called Mini-Luna! Find more about the Cornell Smallsat Mission Design School here.
The lab was awarded research funding from NYCST!
The lab received the award for its In-Space Shaping of Deployable Space Structures project. We will develop and in-space assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) solution amenable to the responsive creation of large space structures. We will design a deployable building block whose shape can be programmed through buckling during deployment, drastically reducing processing energy and thus build times.