Deployable Techniques for Small Satellites

Abstract

A deployable structure serves an important function in small satellites as their performance is improved steadily. Larger deployable solar array paddles are expected as the satellite requires a larger amount of electric power. The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system for small satellites requires a deployable antenna. Various deployable membrane structures have been proposed for the deorbit of micro/nanosatellites in low Earth orbit. The actuators and devices for a deployable structure continue to progress along with the development of a deployable structure. The hold-release mechanism has been becoming smaller and simpler. The shape control devices are actively researched for a high-precision deployable structure. There are several requirements imposed on the deployable structures, e.g., low cost, lightweight, small volume in stored configuration, reliable deployment, large aperture in deployed configuration, and accuracy/repeatability of a deployed shape. Dedicated efforts are made to satisfy these requirements in research and development of a deployable structure/device. This paper provides an overview of the past and current research and development of a deployable structure for small satellites.