Examination of deployable origami structure with thin film circuit

Abstract

The deployable origami structure is suitable for space structures because it is highly storable and has high specific rigidity. In addition, by printing electronic circuits on the thin film used for origami structures, the possibility of application to various space missions will increase. In this study, the authors investigate space missions using the deployable cubic structure based on origami. This paper reports three validation for space mission using the deployable cubic structure. Firstly, comparison of the performance of the cubic deployment structure as an extension boom with other extension booms is reported. Although it is inferior to the SMC boom and coilable mast in terms of storability, it is considered to have the same performance in terms of weight and boom diameter. Secondly, the effect of plasma drag by a thin-film electromagnetic coil mounted on the cubic deployable structure is reported. The results show that there is an deorbit effect even at low orbits, and that a higher drag coefficient can be obtained by arrangement of two coils. Finally, the design restrictions of a thin-film coil for wireless power transmission system is reported. It was found that the arrangement and orientation of the coils greatly affect the performance.