The project involves the investigation of adhesion in o-rings used in the Lunar Laser Space Terminal (LLST) space communications mission designed by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Experiments and testing were conducted with sixteen types of o-rings and twelve different mating interfaces. Test results are presented for adhesion force, thermal survival, adhesion at varying temperatures, outgassing, force and deflection, optical metrology and surface roughness, and residue analysis. Free body diagram analysis and finite element modeling is presented. The selection of an o-ring and interface that fits the design parameters for the LLST mission is presented. This investigation advances the understanding of the adhesion process in o-rings used in deployable space mechanisms.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Albee, Tyler Harold
• Mims, Katharine Joan

Contributors

• Hart, Carl
• Mills, Jesse

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-102112-214155

Advisor

• Gatsonis, Nikolaos A.

Year

• 2012

Center

• MIT Lincoln Laboratory-Lexington, Massachusetts Project Center - MQP

Sponsor

• MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Date created

• 2012-10-21

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-09-19