Space experiments of deployable boom and umbrella test satellite (DEBUT)

This paper describes the results of the in-orbit performance testing of deployable and retractable umbrella and boom systems, which will be used as important subsystems of Boomerang/Tether satellites. The umbrella is one of the possible candidates of the aerodynamic braking system for boomerang satellite and the boom is also one of the possible candidates of relative position adjusting mechanism between center of mass and aerodynamic force center of the boomerang satellite and initial release/final recovery mechanism of the tethered satellite. For this technology verification, a small and inexpensive satellite, named DEBUT (Deployable Boom and Umbrella Test satellite), was developed in a short period of 1.5 years elapsing from the start of the detailed design until the launch of the mission. The lithium dry cell batteries were used as the primary power and functioned normally during 10 days mission lifetime.