Session
Session 2: Advanced Technologies 1
Abstract
This paper reports on the in-orbit performance of the longest retractable boom (OSS’ AstroTube) that has ever been deployed and retracted from a 3U Cubesat. AstroTube is hosted by AlSat-1N, a 3U technology demonstrator CubeSat collaboration between the space agencies of the UK and Algeria. Agile development of the boom payload saw it progressed to TRL6 in less than 20 months; further platform-level integration and testing through to launch were completed within 30 months. AstroTube combines novel, proprietary materials and proven actuation principles to deploy a low mass 1.5m-long 1-DOF motion structure. It incorporates a novel deployment mechanism for actuation and a flexible composite structure for the boom element. The boom element possesses very low length-density with tuneable bending and torsional stiffness characteristics. The boom payload is housed within a 1U volume and has a total mass of 0.61kg. A brief description of the payload and the test campaign is provided together with relevant results from this project phase. The AlSat-1N platform carries high definition cameras (supplied by the Open University in UK) which enabled visual confirmation of successful boom commissioning and deployment. Relevant data and high definition in-orbit images are also provided in this paper.
Presentation
In-Orbit Performance of AstroTube: AlSat Nano's Low Mass Deployable Composite Boom Payload
This paper reports on the in-orbit performance of the longest retractable boom (OSS’ AstroTube) that has ever been deployed and retracted from a 3U Cubesat. AstroTube is hosted by AlSat-1N, a 3U technology demonstrator CubeSat collaboration between the space agencies of the UK and Algeria. Agile development of the boom payload saw it progressed to TRL6 in less than 20 months; further platform-level integration and testing through to launch were completed within 30 months. AstroTube combines novel, proprietary materials and proven actuation principles to deploy a low mass 1.5m-long 1-DOF motion structure. It incorporates a novel deployment mechanism for actuation and a flexible composite structure for the boom element. The boom element possesses very low length-density with tuneable bending and torsional stiffness characteristics. The boom payload is housed within a 1U volume and has a total mass of 0.61kg. A brief description of the payload and the test campaign is provided together with relevant results from this project phase. The AlSat-1N platform carries high definition cameras (supplied by the Open University in UK) which enabled visual confirmation of successful boom commissioning and deployment. Relevant data and high definition in-orbit images are also provided in this paper.
