Dimensionally Stable HSC (DiSH) Booms for RF Antennas

ABSTRACT: To address the need for CubeSat-compatible, dimensionally stable, high strain composite materials and booms for future RF antennas, Roccor proposes to develop DiSH technology. DiSHTM laminates are rollable to achieve high linear and volumetric compaction ratios and dimensionally stable to minimize deformations from temperature variations and on-orbit operations. Further, DiSHTM laminates are designed to be compatible with a range of structural architectures from simple tape-spring and tube booms where cost and simplicity drive program goals or more complex structures (truss and tension-stabilized systems) when necessary. During Phase I, Roccor and our RF system partner, ASTRA LLC, will focus on designing, manufacturing, and testing highly stable and electrically functional DiSH laminates. Requirements will encompass all mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and thermal performance goals of interest to the Air Force. From these requirements, a CubeSat-compatible point design for a DiSH boom system will be developed for testing during Phase II.; BENEFIT: The overarching Phase I objective is to conduct an preliminary design-analysis-fabrication-test loop for a DiSH Boom capable of meeting requirements for a variety of future Air Force RF antenna and instruments (e.g., magnetometer, E-field, dipole/loop, and communications antenna), and clearly identify engineering development risks that must be addressed to ultimately ensure adequate performance of these booms on-orbit. The emphasis will be on proving that the unique combination of hybrid-fiber composite laminate designs and high-strain surface treatments can enable high-precision and stability in the deployed boom far in excess of COTS systems on the market today and with a simple and low-cost system design. The anticipated result of Phase I is definition of a family of DiSH laminate designs capable of meeting a range of deployable RF instrument and antenna designs of interest to the Air Force, qualification of these designs through coupon thermal/mechanical testing and component RF transparency testing, and development of a conceptual design of a DiSH Boom system to be further developed during Phase II. In addition to DoDs CubeSat RF antenna market discussed above, Roccor has identified two other markets where the proposed technology could have considerable impact: a) portable and man-packable deployable antennas for military ground troops and b) deployable apertures for communication satellites and space exploration vehicles.