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.
Deployable space structures enable ambitious space projects while reducing the constraints of limited payload space. Whether they are creating large apertures or deploying critical instrumentation, our deployable space structures are revolutionizing space exploration, making missions more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable.
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