• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.583-591
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• 2018

In this paper, we propose a new deployment test equipment that is characterized for the deployment test of single large solar panel with tape spring hinge. To perform the deployment test on ground, a device that takes gravity compensation into account should be used to create a zero gravity environment similar to that in orbit. We analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used deployment test equipment in the past through simple conceptual design, analysis, and tests to judge whether it is applicable to the deployment of the solar panel to be tested. A dummy frame was proposed to reduce the air drag effect during on-ground test and a self-aligning ball bearing and adjusting screws were applied to the deployment test equipment to solve the alignment problem with the gravity axis. And a horizontal bearing for radial movement applied to compensate for the change of the axis of the tape spring hinge. From these, we solved the problems of the conventional deployment test equipment by developing and verifying the new deployment test equipment characterized for the solar panel to be deployed in this paper.