Author/Presenter: Tyler Murphy Adviser: Chris Koehler PEZ: Expanding CubeSat Capabilities through Innovative Mechanism Design Author/Presenter: Tyler Murphy Adviser: Chris Koehler 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium
2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium The CubeSat Conundrum Advantages Disadvantages Common & standardized package Allows for on orbit testing of small components and scientific payloads Launch opportunities Fixed amount of external surface area Power limited Scientific view factor limited 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium
The Payload Extension Zone (PEZ) Concept of expanding to increase external surface area In stowed configuration conforms to CubeSat Specifications Deployed to provide additional capabilities PEZ Picture: http://www.shoppingkoo.com/products-search/death.html 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium
Restraint & Activation Need to keep the PEZ in the launch configuration until P-POD deployment Main Restraint and activation provided by Mini-Frangibolt Solar arrays constrained by two types of clips and 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium
Mechanical Deployment Utilizes a pair of constant force springs Springs under tension during launch Once Mini-Frangibolt releases, springs will naturally retract Constant Force Spring Picture: http://www.mcmaster.com/#extension-springs/=bsgvjd 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium
Mechanical Deployment The solar arrays are released when the PEZ begins to deploy Clips attached to PEZ release one end Rotating clips release the other end Torsional springs provide force to open arrays 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium
2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium Locking Mechanisms Spring plungers are utilized to lock the PEZ in place Integrated hard stops have been designed into the solar array hinges Torsional springs hold the solar arrays against these hard stops 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium
Benefits to the CubeSat Designer Doubles the solar array area From 159 in2 to 318 in2 Still allows for a 75in2 of external surface area for scientific missions 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium
2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium Questions? 2011 Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium