Deployable Structures

The deployable truss boom is a crucial building block leveraged on many other MMA antenna and solar array systems which can bolt-on using integral launch restraints and controlled deployment capabilities. Powered by our unique Tape Deployer Assembly (examples shown below), it features expansion ratios up to 100:1 and stow volumes down to a 1U form factor. Because this boom is a periodic trussed structure, custom-length booms can be realized by simply adding or removing bays. The scalable system can be used individually or as a building block to enable mission-critical systems such as antennas, solar arrays, tip-mounted instruments, and areal membranes.

MMA has invested in the exclusive licensing of NASA’s patented SHEARLESS boom technology and has leveraged this technology to develop MMA SHEARLIPS* composite booms (patent pending) with improved bending stiffness, torsional stiffness, and structural stability. Additionally, MMA has obtained an exclusive license to NASA’s patented Bistable Collapsable Tubular Mast (Bi-CTM) technology to provide closed cross-section boom performance with minimal stowed volume. These offerings complement our heritage tape and slit-tube designs that have significant flight heritage and deployment reliability. 

*SHEAthed Rollable LIP Shaped (SHEARLIPS) boom.

The Stand-Off Mechanism (SOM) is a deployable structure with space flight heritage. It provides payload clearance for applications where a fixed bracket is not feasible. The SOM uses a Frangibolt assembly for release and deploys to a height of approximately 8 inches using energy stored in folded tape springs. The typical payload is MMA’s dragNET De-Orbit Module; however, the SOM can be scaled for use with other payloads.