In order to start the mission of the satellite successfully, the satellite should be separated on time from the launcher in space. After the satellite gets in the targeted orbit, appendices such as solar panels and antennas should be separated for pow...
In order to start the mission of the satellite successfully, the satellite should be separated on time from the launcher in space. After the satellite gets in the targeted orbit, appendices such as solar panels and antennas should be separated for power generation and communication. At the early stage of development of the satellite, the pyrotechnic-based separation devices are widely used because of a simple operating principle and fast response time. However, it requires to be handled with extreme care, since the pyrotechnic-based separation device comprises gunpowder. In addition, it generates a pyro-shock over 5,000g and contaminants since that device is activated by firing of the gunpowder. Therefore, it sometimes causes malfunction of electrical device and dirt particles on the optic lens or solar panel in the satellite. There were many failed satellite mission because of the pyro-technique separation device. A survey of pyroshock flight failures revealed 83 shock related anomalies out of 600 launches with over 50% of these resulting in catastrophic failure.
Recently, the rapid growth of nano-technology has enabled small satellites to have almost all the functions that big and medium-sized satellites have. In the viewpoint of cost effectiveness, these small satellites have many advantages compared to the big and medium-sized satellites. As a satellite's size decreases, many devices within the satellite should be tightly integrated. As a result, satellites have become more sensitive to shocks and contaminants. Therefore, that pyrotechnic-based separation devices, which generate high shock and contaminants, are not suitable for small satellites. Therefore, there has been a great deal of research activity for developing a non-explosive separation device. As another effort to replace the pyrotechnic-based separation device, we designed and manufactured a non-pyrotechnic separation device. We design the separation device which can be distinguished by over-sea product. After design and manufacture the proposed separation device, we perform the response-time test, maximum-preload test and shock test to prove the mechanism performance. Then, to verify the proposed separation device can be used in space environment, vibration test and thermal vacuum test were carried out refer to MIL-STD and ESA spec.[9]