Date of Defense
12-3-2024
Date of Graduation
12-2024
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
First Advisor
Kristina Lemmer
Second Advisor
Kapseong Ro
Abstract
The nanosatellite being designed by the Western Aerospace Launch Initiative (WALI) will demonstrate the technology of single-polarity electrospray thrusters. Essential to the mission is the collection of information from the ionospheric plasma surrounding the CubeSat in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Due to the plasma sheath generated by the spacecraft, a 1.75 m boom is required to extend the Langmuir probe (LP) outside of the region of disturbed plasma. This project, Deployable Assembly Structure and Harnessing for a Langmuir Probe (DASH-LP), developed components that accompany the boom deployment system. In particular, a cable stowage system to store the RG403 shielded triaxial cable for the LP when stowed and a mounting structure to attach the LP to the boom. Rigorous finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on the component designs to ensure the designs will survive launch loads, as well as to evaluate the behavior of the designed components under random vibration. 3D printed prototypes were produced for each component along with machining drawings for WALI to machine these parts. Verification tests were conducted to ensure the functionality of the designs and characterize the performance of the solution. These tests included a natural frequency test utilizing a Hall effect sensor and magnets to measure the oscillations of the boom and a deployment force test to determine the required force necessary for the deployment of the boom system and to ensure deployment motors can overcome this force. The deployment force test also ensured that critical factors such as the damping mechanisms, cable elasticity, and tape friction were within acceptable limits. Along with this, a launch displacement test was conducted to measure the displacements the boom would experience during launch and to ensure that these displacements do not interfere with the functionality of the boom deployment. Lastly, a general system functionality test was conducted to test the deployment motors with the designed parts and to ensure that the deployment motors can deploy the boom and not cause any premature cable pulling during deployment. A testing apparatus was developed by the design team to simulate the deployment using a sample fiberglass boom provided by MMA Design. Design files, prototypes, and documentation provided to WALI lay a foundation for further development of this subsystem in the nanosatellite as the system progresses.
Recommended Citation
Cowell, Sean, "Deployable Assembly Structure and Harnessing for a Langmuir Probe (DASH-LP)" (2024). Honors Theses. 3879.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3879
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Comments
Co-authored with:
Luke Halladay
Katherine Reischman