Starburst: A Concept for a New Deployable Structure Architecture

This paper presents Starburst, a novel architecture for deployable structures that has the potential to revolutionize the way rigid panel deployables are approached in future missions. The core elements of the Starburst architecture consist of rigid segments, high strain rods for rough actuation and guidance during deployment, a cable for pulling the system together and preloading, and kinematic mounts for precise location. Unlike traditional deployable structures that are constrained throughout deployment, Starburst uses an under-constrained approach that allows for greater flexibility in where segments can be stored on the spacecraft. The Solid Underconstrained Multi-Frequency (SUM) deployable antenna is an instantiation of the Starburst technology and would enable Earth science missions to better predict storms patterns. While early prototypes have shown initial feasibility, several key areas of future work remain, including sequencing multiple segment deployments, developing an assembly process for alignment, refining composite layup processes, and modeling thermal distortions. Overall, Starburst's adaptable and flexible design has the potential to enable a myriad of high-accuracy deployables, not just for Earth science, but for missions from astrophysics to planetary science