Abstract
When spacecraft or new modules dock to the international space station, astronauts make use of a standard pressurized 39” hatch to move from one module to the next. Advanced Space Manufacturing Systems, Inc. developed a module that would allow for manufacturing in space and on other celestial bodies such as the Moon or Mars. If the module were to be deployed to the moon or Mars as a space habitation and manufacturing unit, the single pressurized hatch would be problematic for astronauts trying to move supplies, robots, and large materials in and out of the module. By creating a new double door system equipped with the International Berthing Docking Mechanism (IBDM), the module can dock to the International Space Station and have a larger door opening for efficient delivery and installation of scientific equipment when it is deployed. A double door system was designed to solve this problem. The outer door of the system incorporates the IBDM. The outer door opens in the outward direction and closes with a hinging mechanism that allows the door to seal flush with the outside of the module. The inner door of the system incorporates the standard pressurized hatch presently used on the International Space Station modules. Both the inner and outer doors have the ability to open to give complete access to the module so that a slide in platform can be mounted into the module. CAD models were created of the new design and finite element and motion analyses were run to test the overall durability of the double door system and strength of material required. TAMIP design features addressed within scope of this thesis include the curvature of the outer door, the novel airlock opening mechanism, and the outer door micrometeorite and orbital debris protection.