A self-deploying and self-stabilizing helical antenna for small satellites |
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| Institution: | 1. College of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China;2. State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China;3. School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu Univesity, Shenyang 110168, China;1. School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, People''s Republic of China;2. Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK;1. Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Liége, Allée de la Découverte 9 (B52/3), 4000 Liége, Belgium;2. Laboratory of Human Motion Analysis, University of Liége, Allée de la Découverte 9 (B52/3), 4000 Liége, Belgium;1. Department of Electrical and Information Technology, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden;2. Department of Aeronautical and Vehicle Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden;3. RUAG Space, Solhusgatan 11, SE-412 76 Göteborg, Sweden;1. School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic of China;2. Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK |
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| Abstract: | Space antennas with a helical geometry are an advantageous choice for many applications, for instance if the transmission of electromagnetic waves with a circular polarization is intended, or if signals from terrestrial objects shall be received with a high angular resolution. In all these cases the desired electromagnetic properties of a helical geometry can be combined with the mechanical advantage that the antenna acts as a compression spring, provided that its core structure has the necessary high spring stiffness but can nevertheless easily be compressed. Such an antenna has been developed by DLR Institutes in Bremen and Braunschweig together with some industrial partners for a small satellite named AISat, which shall be able to pursue the position of individual ships in critical sea areas in order to improve the security of seafare trade. The development was very challenging since the antenna must expand from a stowed stack length of only 10 cm to a total length of 4 m. Only a special carbonfiber core under the conductive coating and a system of stabilizing cords led to a satisfying solution. Both the self-deployment and the self-stabilization function of this innovative antenna concept have been successfully tested and verified under zero-g-conditions in the course of a parabolic flight campaign. It could be convincingly demonstrated that the helical antenna can really achieve its desired contour in weightlessness within some seconds and maintain the required stability. Beyond the current application for the AISat satellite it is therefore quite a promising concept for future satellites. |
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