Design and Simulation of a Passive Wireless Sensor Array System for a Spacecraft Inflatable Habitat using Shooting and Bouncing Rays Electromagnetic Simulations

Micro-meteoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts are among the greatest environmental risks for spacecraft, especially for ones in the low-earth orbit (LEO). As inflatable habitats are proven to be an effective solution for low-volume-stowage for spacecraft, it is essential that the health of the structure is constantly monitored to detect MMOD impact damage shortly after it occurs. In this project, a wireless structural health monitoring (SHM) system is designed and simulated using the shooting and bouncing rays numerical electromagnetic technique. Recent advancements have shown that surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors can be used for wireless sensing of variables such as temperature and strain; however, sensor placement, reader antenna placement, and antenna polarizations, are among key design aspects to ensure efficient wireless sensing. The sensor reader is composed of a phased array antenna that sweeps its beam around the structure. A checkered pattern of sensors in co-polarity and cross-polarity is simulated to increase the maximum sensor density per monitored area. Results show how polarization diversity and beam scanning can be used to implement a passive sensor array on the B330 Bigelow spacecraft.