Feasibility study: small and low‐cost electro-mechanical release mechanisms for space

Abstract

Space research is slowly but steadily becoming more accessible attracting more companies to work in space. However, some space solutions are not as accessible and expensive. This project is a study about low‐cost opening mechanisms that are usable in space. The aim of this project isto come up with a mechanism design that could be manufactured and utilised in space projects by Responsive Access, the industrial collaboration company of this project. The ideal ending point for this project isto create and test a prototype, which can then be sent onwardsto further development. This project also includes a study of current solutions, materials and tests implemented to consider when designing a device to be utilised in a space environment. This report goes through every part of the project in sensible order, so that the reader has an idea what has been done in the project and what kind of things have been achieved. First it is introduced some basic information of the project such as background information and terms required to understand the project, information about the client of the project, the scope of the project or the management of the project. Secondly, it is exposed the activities performed by the team before starting to design. These previous studies include a study of the release mechanism in the market, the conditions document presented to the client with all the characteristics of the device to develop and the materials study performed by the team. After, the design study section goes through the different design stages. Starting from the brainstorming and ideation stage, every potential solution found is presented. Later mechanical and electronic decisions with respect the final candidates are described. Motion simulations of the devices might be found in this section as well. After the design study, everything related to the testing of the devices is explained. Finally, final conclusions of this project are presented as well as possible future work and development of the project.