Deployable structures are often used for space applications as they can be stowed into a relatively small volume during launch (thus requiring less space on board a launch vehicle), and then deployed to the required size once on orbit.
Reliability is a crucial requirement for this type of mechanisms, as failure to deploy can produce the failure of the whole mission and systems driven by the energy stored in elastic elements (like springs), allow to avoid the complications of structures deployed using electromechanical devices.
For example, STACER booms are an elegant solution to deploy slender appendices supporting satellites sensors, or as booms for gravity gradient stabilization.
The purpose of this project is to carry out a review of the current technologies (starting from STACER booms) and identify a particular application to be developed. Various concepts will be assessed, and a preliminary design of a novel system will be produced and analysed. It is expected that besides research, design and computational work, the students will also have to produce physical model(s) (e.g. 3D printed) as proof of concept of the deployable structure.
Undergraduate
Survey of the state of the art
Theoretical & Experimental preliminary investigation on current technologies
Design and analysis of the proposed application.
Proof of concept (Hardware)
Final report
None
Space Institute Lab (405.443, Lab)