CC23 Positive Connections

Not applicable
In space, there's a growing need to build large, precise structures like antennas, booms, and telescopes. These structures are too big to fit inside a rocket during launch, so we need a way to deploy them once they reach their orbit. The study "Starburst: A Revolutionary Under-Constrained Adaptable Deployable Structure Architecture" demonstrated a unique approach to deploying large antennas to much higher accuracies than ever before. Currently, the segments are held together with cables, which can apply a limited amount of force and may lose tension over time. Accuracies can be improved with stronger connections between the deployable segments that will lock in place with the segments touching each other. The goal is to design a mechanism, which when two segments come together, will lock them together with an adjustable amount of force, between 50 to 200 Newtons. It can be assumed that another system brings the two segments together and aligns them to within 1mm or better. This system just needs to latch them in place to each other on contact. The system must operate independently when the segments come together, and not require any wires or other transmission lines connected to the primary spacecraft. We want to system that can make a stronger connection between the deployable segments, that will lock in place with the segments touch each other. The goal is to design a mechanism, which when two segments come together, will lock them together with an adjustable about of force, between 10 to 50 lbs. It can be assumed that another system brings the two components together, and aligns them. This system just needs to latch them in place to each other on contact. However, there's a tricky part ? during the intense shaking of the launch, we must make sure the mechanism doesn't accidentally trigger. It should only activate when the intended components come together and are properly aligned. The system must operate independently when the segments come together, and not require any wires or other transmission lines connected to the primary spacecraft.

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