A Fast, Affordable and Innovative Technology Demonstrator
TU-Delft's first university satellite
Developed by students
17 July 2007
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Faculteit Luchtvaart- en Ruimtevaarttechniek Faculteit Elektrotechniek, Wiskunde en Informatica
Solar Panel and Modular Antenna Boxes deployment systems
M. Graziosi 17 July 2007
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Faculty of Aerospace Engineering Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science
Solar Panel deployment system 1/4
• Because of the space limit during launch, the solar panels will be stowed to the body using a Dyneema thread
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Solar Panel deployment system 2/4
• The thread runs over the solar panel and is attached to two tension springs • The springs keep the thread tight so that the solar panels will remain in place during launch • Two resistors are used to initiate deployment
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Solar Panel deployment system 3/4
• When in orbit, the resistors will be turned on. • The resistors will produce heat melting the thread which touches them within 15 seconds • Once free, the solar panels will automatically deploy and they will be kept at an angle of 35°
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Solar Panel deployment system 4/4
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Modular Antenna Boxes deployment system 1/3
• During launch the antennae will be rolled up inside boxes and hold down by threads. • This way the 0.5 m long antennae may be accommodated in the 0.3 m high satellite and will be protected from the outside forces caused by the launch.
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Modular Antenna Boxes deployment system 2/3
• When in orbit the resistors will heat up and melt the threads. • The antennae will automatically deploy.
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Modular Antenna Boxes deployment system 3/3
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