Experiment of the bare tape tether deployment by using of Small Spacecraft Simulator

Paper number

IAC-05-C1.4.03

Author

Mr. Tatsuaki Kikuchi, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Hironori A. Fujii, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Takeo Watanabe, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Tairo Kusagaya, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Year

2005

Abstract

A Small Spacecraft Simulator (SSS) is developed to decreases friction in floating means of by gas on the flat bed of two dimensional horizontal plane. The SSS achieves a great miniaturization by adopting the liquid gas and the air bearing compared with a used model. The system is employed to experiments on the deployment of the bare tape tether of the foldaway type by use of the SSS in the experiment. The bare tape tether is stored in the box with the foldaway storage method, which is a new concept. Although there still remains some further testing of the tape material this method is expected that the trouble is a little though does rapid development. Moreover, the bare tape tether is expected to have high durability for the debris, and has good performance of electroconductive.

In this experiment, the technology is demonstrated to eject the spacecraft, deploys foldaway bare tape tether until the target length, and safely stops the tether. The bare tape tether is deployed by discharging the spring at the same time as ejection the spacecraft, and the gas jet is employed to generate a relative speed. The length of developing the bare tether is measured in optical, and the bare tape tether is tuned to stop safely by target length.

The present paper, benchmark of the SSS is reported and the verification result of the discharge mechanism and the braking mechanism is verified in their validity.

Abstract document

IAC-05-C1.4.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-C1.4.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.