Highly compact deployable and retrievable boom
- Paper number
IAC-06-C2.2.03
- Author
Dr. Manfred Leipold, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Walter Naumann, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Space missions very often require boom technologies to deploy instruments from the spacecraft main body to assure certain electromagnetic cleanliness requirements or to enhance the observation conditions. In certain cases, not only deployment but also retrieval of the boom is necessary. The Docking Payload of the ConeXpress Orbital Live Extension Vehicle (CX-OLEV) is a commercial application which requires a deployable and retrievable boom for docking purposes, while requiring the mechanism to be stowed in a very limited envelope. A highly compact, light-weight mechanism has been developed and breadboard tested which allows deployment of a bi-stable boom with open cross section, manufactured in glass fiber reinforced plastics. In a tripod arrangement three identical units, spaced by 120°, are used in a synchronized mode to deploy the so-called Capture Tool, developed by the German Aerospace Center, Oberpfaffenhofen, to a distance of 2m from the chasing ConeXpress spacecraft, allowing it to capture a Client satellite’s nozzle. Upon capture, the three booms need to be retracted in order to mate the two spacecraft. The highly compact deployable and retrievable boom has been functionally tested in a Breadboard set-up and has demonstrated that it is capable to fulfill the mission needs which foresees multiple rendezvous and servicing in geostationary orbit. The on-ground tests included the determination of friction effects, examination of the uncoiling and recoiling behavior of the deployable mast, positioning accuracy achievable for the tripod arrangement, and testing of the motorization and self-locking gear stage. The paper summarizes the main results of the on-ground test campaign and lessons learned. The mechanism, applied either as a single unit or in an arrangement of several units, has the potential to be applied for a wide range of missions which require larger offset distances of up to ca. 20m. These include magnetometer booms, booms for plasma wave experiments, planetary surface operations requiring robotic capabilities with the need for deployable appendages, or the displacement of on-board cameras in order to change the view angle or vantage point. For planetary in-situ activities, including small body rendezvous and sample return scenarios, a retrievable mast with an end-effector for surface or subsurface sample acquisition based on the breadboarded technology can be envisioned. The form-fit drive applied within the mechanism provides exact positioning information such as needed in the docking application. With its highly compact design allowing the mechanism to be stowed in a height of less than 120mm in deployment direction, the boom concept offers several advantages over other types of deployable boom concepts. It is planned to further develop and qualify the highly compact deployable and retrievable boom (CDRB) within the next project phases of CX-OLEV. The CDRB is part of the CX-OLEV docking payload as a German national contribution, funded by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Bonn, and Kayser-Threde, as a public-private-partnership project.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C2.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.