Compact Termination for Structural Soft Goods

Space environments are particularly harsh for the high-strength fibers NASA relies on for soft structures. Kevlar, Nomex, Nylon, and other synthetic fibers are broken down by exposure to the combination of vacuum, atomic oxygen, and ultraviolet radiation. Glass fiber offers unique advantages for structural applications, but is hampered by a sensitivity to bend radius and large sewn areas in order to distribute loads appropriately. The goal of this project was to determine the geometric limits of a potted end termination, and to assess weight and volume savings over a traditional sewn pin and clevis termination.