Low-cost tubular antenna deployer for WISP-2

Abstract

A new tubular boom deployment mechanism has been designed, built, and flown as part of the second Waves In Space Program (WISP-2) through Cornell University. For this program, two booms were needed to form a dipole antenna but existing units were found to be too complicated and costly. A low-cost alternative was developed which combined flight-proven tubular boom technology with a new support and deployment mechanism. The simplicity of this new design was a major factor in providing a highly reliable and cost-effective system.