Abstract
A novel concept for a deployable mast is proposed. It is based on a three-dimensional pantograph with triangular cross section that is deployed and stiffened by two sets of cable elements : active and passive cable elements. Deployment is controlled by the active cables, whose overall length is controlled by an electric motor. After deployment, the stiffness of the mast is increased by pretensioning the passive cables. The layout of active and passive cables is such that all of them can be prestressed uniformly. The principle behind the selection of suitable cable layouts is presented in the paper. A small-scale, experimental model of the triangular mast has been built and tested. Its stiffness and deployment accuracy successfully demonstrate the potential of the new concept.
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