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Simplified High-Performance Roll Out Composite Magnetometer Boom

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

In response to NASA's need for compact, low-cost deployable magnetometer booms for CubeSats, Roccor proposes to develop a Simple High-performance Roll-Out Composite (SHROC) Magnetometer Boom. The boom is capable of motor-less self-deployment and lock-out through a unique combination of bi-stable composite laminate design and features that increase torsional rigidity and deployed precision at the end of deployment. The boom can be built to diameters ranging between 1.6 cm (5/8 in) and 2.5 cm (1 in) and fully deployed lengths ranging from 0.5 m to 10 m while being packaged in less than 1/2-U volume (10 cm x 10 cm x 5 cm). A launch-retention mechanism is provided to lock the tip-mounted instrument package for launch. For deployment, this launch retention mechanism is released and the strain energy stored within the high-strain composite boom drives the deployment with predictable and nearly constant motive force. The overarching Phase I objective is to conduct a preliminary design-analysis-fabrication-test loop for a SHROC Magnetometer Boom capable of meeting requirements for a variety of future NASA Heliophysics science missions. During Phase II Roccor will address the key engineering development risks, mature the system design to a CDR level of development, and validate performance objectives through a series of ground-based qualification tests on engineering development units. Overall, the anticipated outcome of the combined Phase I/II program is development and proto-flight validation of a SHROC Boom system for a wide range of future Heliophysics missions.

Benefits

Deployable magnetometers for Heliophysics research Deployable E-field sensors and Langmuir probes for Heliophysics research Deployable mono-pole and di-pole antennas for CubeSats High-gain mesh deployable antennas for constellation missions CubeSat-class high-power solar arrays for constellation missions

Deployable RF apertures for communication satellites (e.g., MILSTAR) CubeSat-class high-power solar arrays for commercial constellation missions Portable and man-packable deployable antennas for military ground troops

Details

Technology areaSensors and Instruments > In Situ Instruments and Sensors > Field and Particle Detectors
ProgramSmall Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR)
Lead organizationRoccor, LLC, Longmont, CO
Start date2017-06-09
End date2017-12-08

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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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