Deployment Repeatability Testing of Composite Tape Springs for Space Optics Applications
Abstract
Tape springs are of interest to the space structures community because of their high packaging ratios, ability to self-deploy, and high stiffness-to-mass ratios. The current drive to lightweight telescopes has focused mostly on decreasing the mass of the mirrors; yet decreasing the mass of the support structure may also generate significant mass savings. Here the use of carbon-fiber-composite tape springs is examined as a potential support structure of a secondary mirror in a Cassegrain-type telescope configuration. For the tape springs to be useful in this capacity, they must exhibit deployment precision to levels consistent with optical control systems. Deployment repeatability of such structures is investigated through simplified sensing configurations that include a linear structural element and a tripod comprised of carbon-fiber-composite tape springs supporting a simulated secondary mirror. Single tape springs showed deployment repeatability on the order of 100 microns, while the tripod configuration showed deployment repeatability on the order of 50 microns.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450367
Entities
People
- Brett J. Deblonk
- Jack J. Massarello
- Jeffrey A. Whetzal
- Jonathan T. Black
Organizations
- University of Kentucky