solar array deployment test gravity offloader system · set of test panels to deploy with only 22%...

Solar Array Deployment Test Gravity Offloader System

Project

Methods

System

Braden Call: Braden.Call@outlook.comMatthew Calvin: MatthewJCalvin@gmail.comChris Debenham: ChrisDebenham@live.com

Christian Marriott: ChristianJMarriott@gmail.comMason Onkes: masononkes@gmail.com

With thanks to Richard Blomquist, Space Dynamics Lab, and Professor Spencer Wendel

• While gravity offloading systems have been designed in the past, a vacuum-compatible and passive design brings a new and unique challenge.

• Energy loss needed to be minimized while allowing for freedom of movement.

• Friction is the main source of the energy loss. Ceramic bearings in the rolling trolleys were used to minimize friction without lubrications restricted for a vacuum.

• Longitudinal and transversal rollers allow the panels to deploy naturally in the horizontal direction while a spring attachment allows for vertical movement.

• Space Dynamics Lab (SDL) has started to develop larger satellites and larger solar arrays are required to power the spacecrafts. These larger arrays are harder to test

• Larger solar panels need their weight from gravity offloaded to prevent damage to their joints. The joints are not designed to hold their own weight

• Space Dynamics Lab requested our design be able to function in a vacuum to simulate the microgravity environment as closely as possible.

Conclusion• The prototype was able to assist a

set of test panels to deploy with only 22% of the energy required for the deployment lost to the offloader.

• SDL is able to use this offloader to verify that their panels operate correctly and learn the torque margin of their panel deployment.

• Many of the parts used for the prototype are able to be improved with a larger budget. The better parts will decrease the energy removed.

• One transverse rail is attached to each of the panels. The panels start folded together. As the panels deploy, they pull the rails with them until fully extended.