6 Meter Antenna and Boom System for CubeSats

Heliospace Corporation proposes accelerated work in development of modular CubeSat-scale, 6 m length passively deployed antennas and instrument booms based on our successful larger SABER helical strip spring technology. While Heliospace has produced similar small-diameter antennas up to 2.7 m deployed length, demonstrating feasibility beyond 3 m requires focused research and development effort which, unless performed prior to and independently of mission formulation, may limit the required maturity of the technology for scientific and other objectives. Antennas and booms based on similar helical strip springs have traditionally been limited to deployed lengths under 3 meters and have demonstrated their suitability for CubeSats on SunRISE. Since then, the sole supplier of those elements has fully discontinued producing any springs of the needed geometry. Establishing an alternative CubeSat-scale helical strip spring production capability is critical for responsive production of low-cost systems antennas and booms for CubeSats. Proposed development of highly compact, modular deployment management mechanisms and specialized tether-harnesses will enable significant extension of deployed lengths past 3 m. The envisioned mechanisms will improve deployed physical properties, enabling their use as finely tuned monopole antennas, formed elements within larger antenna assemblies, and precision-length booms for sensors. The simple and compact nature of the proposed devices will enable better measurements by smaller, lower-cost spacecraft for space physics, planetary and earth science missions, as well as commercial and defense applications. Additionally, engineering and production efficiency will reduce system costs. Heliospace employees have significant experience and involvement with similar previous helical strip springs and their derivative systems. Work will be completed at Heliospace’s existing spaceflight hardware facility in Berkeley, CA.