AbstractThis paper highlights the design, qualification and mission performance of the tether deployer system on the second Young Engineers’ Satellite (YES2), that featured a tethered momentum transfer. The deployer is designed with a broad range of near-term tether applications in mind. The system contains the tether, including features to enhance safety and wound up in controlled manner onto a spool core, optical deployment sensors, a “barberpole” friction brake controlled by a stepper motor and a triple tether cutter system. To initiate the deployment a spring-based ejection system was developed, and to apply accurate momentum transfer a timer and release system is present on the subsatellite side. A small, 6kg re-entry capsule was developed as subsatellite. On September 25th, 2007, YES2 deployed a 32km tether in orbit and gathered a wealth of data. Confidence is gained from the mission results for use of the deployer in future missions.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Qualification and in-flight demonstration of a European tether deployment system on YES2


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 64 , 9-10 ; 882-905


    Publication date :

    2008-10-31


    Size :

    24 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English






    Deployment Control for the YES2 Tether-Assisted Re-Entry Mission (AAS 05-322)

    Williams, P. / Hyslop, A. / Kruijff, M. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006


    Qualification and In-Flight Demonstration of a European Tether Deployment and Momentum Transfer System on YES2

    Kruijff, M. / van der Heide, E.J. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2008


    YES2 Education and Outreach

    Kruijff, Michel | AIAA | 2003