Development of the Extendable and Retractable Mast (ERM), Design Phase 2. Volume 1

摘要

An Extendable and Retractable Mast (ERM) for space applications such as deployment and retraction of high power rollable, foldable, or rigid solar arrays, large unfurlable antennas, and scientific payloads, was developed. The coverage of a large field of application requires a strong and stiff light-weight mast with good pointing accuracy allowing the adaptation of heavy tip masses as well as the fixation of line-loads to intermediate attachment points along the mast at the same time. The ERM payload capability is 40 kg on tip, plus 10 kg/m line load, plus 100N eccentric load. Deployed length is 40 m. The ERM is designed as a spindle-driven telescopic mast in carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) technology. A 40 m solar array mast and a 20 m antenna mast were considered. The feasibility of a 60 m mast is also shown. Manufacturing and test of a breadboard model hardware, and the detailed design of an engineering model mast are described.