Deployable Space Telescope

Optimal Boom Design for High Precision Deployment of the Secondary Mirror

Master thesis (2017)

Contributors

J.M. Kuiper (mentor)
D. Dolkens (mentor)
D.M. Stam (mentor)
E.K.A. Gill (mentor)
H. Cruijssen (mentor)
Department
Space Engineering (Aerospace Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2017 J.W. Lopes Barreto
Telescope Satellite Space Structures Deployable Booms Articulated CTM
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Published Date

19-05-2017

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Department

Space Engineering

Abstract

The use of deployable structures for space telescopes has the advantage of enabling options to improve their optical performance and reducing the launch volume. The Deployable Space Telescope (DST), which is currently developed by the Space Systems Engineering (SSE) department, will make use of a high precision deployable structure to extend the secondary mirror 1.3 m from the primary mirror. In the initial design of the telescope, three articulated booms were chosen as the deployable mechanism between the two mirrors. This design, however, had a high mass and a low deployment ratio. In order to reduce the mass and increase the deployment ratio of the mechanism, while maintaining the required deployment accuracy, this research project has focused on investigating and analyzing alternative deployable structures and materials. Furthermore, the interface between the optimal deployable mechanism and the DST system has been designed.