Abstract
The Surrey Space Centre (SSC) and Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) have collaborated in a Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI) project to design a deployable cassegrain telescope. Given the success of deployable structures in the past decades, attention has naturally turned to incorporating deployable structures into more complex space systems. Optical telescopes are currently flown with a fixed focal length, which limits their use to larger satellites. Incorporating a deployable system could open the door for smaller satellites to carry larger optical telescopes, making Earth observation more accessible for research and businesses.
The aim of this project was to increase the capability of small satellites for earth observation by demonstrating a proof of concept breadboard model and development model of a deployable cassegrain telescope. The design uses three concentric carbon fibre barrels deployed into lockout stops by three leadscrew sets equi-spaced around the barrels. This paper will provide an overview of the design, analysis and test campaign for this deployable optical system.