An Innovative Deployable Telescopic Space Boom System

Oxford Sapce System's objective is to design, construct and demonstrate an Engineering Model flight concept telescopic boom that meets the technical and commercial requirements of several commercial space sector opportunities identified. The functioning prototype will permit the demonstration of the design's key attributes: footprint efficiency, low mass, scalable design and a highly novel drive system based upon bi-stable rolled composite material. The latter enables the service requirements of a payload, such as gas and electrical feeds, to be directly embedded into the rolled composite material thus producing a much simplified and more reliable means of payload accommodation.
Applications of the boom include electric propulsion, payload positioning, antenna systems and de-orbiting structures for space debris mitigation. The project’s prototype will be used to engage potential customers and serve as the basis to progress development toward flight level status. OSS view their boom project as a catalyst for accelerating UK ion-thruster development by virtue of having a unique combination of UK technologies to offer platform builders exploring all-electric platform options
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Oxford Space Systems also anticipate the prototype being available for outreach activity with schools and universities interested in UK engineering and space activities.