Work

Multifunctional bistable ultrathin composite booms with flexible electronics

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Small satellites such as CubeSats pose demanding requirements on the weight, size, and multifunctionality of their structures due to extreme constraints on the payload mass and volume. To address this challenge, we introduce a concept of multifunctional deployable space structures for CubeSats based on ultrathin, elastically foldable, and self-deployable bistable composite structures integrated with flexible electronics. The multifunctional bistable booms can be stored in a coiled configuration and self-deploy into a long structure upon initiation by releasing the stored strain energy. The boom demonstrates the capabilities of delivering power and transmitting data from the CubeSat to the flexible devices on the boom tip. The boom also shows the ability to monitor the dynamics and vibration during and after the deployment. A payload boom has been installed in a 3 U CubeSat as flight hardware for in-space testing and demonstration. This effort combines morphable ultrathin composite structures with flexible electronics.

Source: Extreme Mechanics Letters

DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2024.102247

Authors: Yao Yao, Juan M. Fernandez, Sven G. Bilén, Xin Ning

Institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Langley Research Center, Pennsylvania State University

Language: English

Topic: Structural Analysis and Optimization

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Langley Research Center, Air Force Office of Scientific Research