This paper describes development and ground testing of an unpowered mechanism intended to control deployment of a rollable spacecraft boom. The mechanism constrains the boom to a single deployment path and limits deployment speed. The strain energy of the boom is harnessed to drive deployment. Use of this mechanism is demonstrated with a collapsible tube mast boom, but it is suitable for use with any monostable boom. In the minimal unpowered strain-energy (MUSE) mechanism, a single roller presses against a coiled boom with enough force to prevent premature unwinding. The force also creates enough interlayer friction to prevent blossoming of the coiled boom. A rotary damper is used to limit deployment speed. The MUSE mechanism is tested with two damper types: a viscous damper and a centrifugal damper. To further characterize deployment, an energy model is used to predict deployment speeds. Predictions are compared to experimental deployment speed measurements. Both dampers are able to limit deployment speed. The MUSE mechanism reliably deploys rolled booms, and it is able to constrain the path and speed throughout deployment.
Minimal Unpowered Strain-Energy Deployment Mechanism for Rollable Spacecraft Booms: Ground Test
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 57 , 2 ; 346-353
2019-11-26
8 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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