Advanced Deployable Structural Systems for Small Satellites

One of the key challenges for small satellites is packaging and reliable deployment of structural booms and arrays used for power, communication, and scientific instruments. The lack of reliable and efficient boom and membrane deployment concepts for small satellites is addressed in this work throug...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI). Conference Proceedings
Main Authors Belvin, W Keith, Straubel, Marco, Wilkie, W Keats, Zander, Martin E, Fernandez, Juan M, Hillebrandt, Martin F
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published Hampton NASA/Langley Research Center 26.09.2016
Subjects
Appendages
Laboratory equipment
Satellites
Small satellites
State of the art
Testability
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Summary:One of the key challenges for small satellites is packaging and reliable deployment of structural booms and arrays used for power, communication, and scientific instruments. The lack of reliable and efficient boom and membrane deployment concepts for small satellites is addressed in this work through a collaborative project between NASA and DLR. The paper provides a state of the art overview on existing spacecraft deployable appendages, the special requirements for small satellites, and initial concepts for deployable booms and arrays needed for various small satellite applications. The goal is to enhance deployable boom predictability and ground testability, develop designs that are tolerant of manufacturing imperfections, and incorporate simple and reliable deployment systems.