Abstract: The application of technically sensitive devices in outer space requires adequate protective shields or protective chambers which protect the payload against atmospheric radiation, thermal effects etc.The foldable structure according to the invention consists of a topological arrangement of flexible tubes which are joined to each other and form the skeleton of the shield or of the chamber. To these tubes there are attached membranes which serve as protective walls.The method of manufacturing a finished protective device uses such a foldable structure, whereby the structure is unfolded by inflation of the tubes and assumes the desired two-dimensional or three-dimensional form. The membranes are also stretched by the extension of the tubes and the interaction of the membranes and the tubes, such tubes acting as struts in the inflated condition, produces a stable structure.

Abstract: A parabolically-shaped reflector antenna particularly intended for space vehicle applications, can be transported into outer space in a folded state. There it is inflated by means of a gaseous agent, such as a gas compound or gaseous medium, which is transported with the space vehicle. The antenna reflector and an antenna radome form an inflatable cavity which is stabilized by a rigidizing torus. The covering material of the antenna reflector, the antenna radome and the rigidizing torus comprise a resin-impregnated layer of fabric. After inflation in outer space, the reflector antenna is aligned such that it will be substantially uniformly heated by the sun for substantially uniform polymerization of the resin impregnant. After polymerization, the reflector antenna requires no gas pressure to keep its shape.

Abstract: A holder device for sample vials or the like for an analysis apparatus, especially a blood cell counter, equipped with a suction tube immersible in a sample vial filled with liquid and standing upon an appropriately arranged support surface in order to remove sample from the sample vial. The holder device has a recess or cavity formed by a rear wall extending approximately parallel to the central axis of the recess and two side walls extending between the lower edge and the upper edge of the holder device and tapering upwardly with respect to the rear wall between the lower edge and the upper edge. The recess is bounded by a standing surface arranged transversely with respect to the rear wall.