Spacecraft application of three layer honeycomb structures

Honeycomb structures with potted inserts are extensively applied in various spacecrafts. Three layer honeycomb structure comprises two thin skins acting as load bearing layers with lightweight and less strong honeycomb core placed in between supporting the load bearing layers. The inserts potted into the three layer honeycomb structure are intended for equipment, harness and waveguide integration and panel to panel joints. It is necessary to consider a number of factors such as proper selection of the core height, skin thickness, core size and the insert itself. There is either almost no attention paid to this matter in various reference sources and scientific papers both by Russian and international researchers, or no research is conducted in this area at all. To acquire a reasonable solution to this matter it is necessary to perform research efforts related to testing the honeycomb structures with potted inserts. It is necessary to study in detail the effect of the honeycomb core, load bearing layers, insert dimensions on the load bearing capacity of the three layer structure in general. Also, it is necessary to perform proper processing of the experimental and estimation results. The data resulting from this investigation will be employed in spacecraft three layer honeycomb structures design and manufacturing activities.