Structural engineering on deployable CFRP booms for a solar propelled sailcraft

The article addresses engineering activities on a key item of innovative solar sail propulsion technologies: lightweight deployable booms to enfold huge membrane structures in space. Design and analysis aspects are covered besides the description of several verification tasks on engineering models including a successful ground demonstration under simulated zero-g conditions of a solar sail breadboard model, which was funded by ESA and DLR in a common effort. Based on lessons learned proposals for design improvements are made in preparation for a future solar sail flight mission. In a first step towards this goal the deployment technology will be demonstrated in Earth's orbit. The DLR Institute of Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems is involved in the ESA–DLR follow-up project by the provision of the deployable booms made of carbon-fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) and extremely thin sail segments. Kayser Threde GmbH, Germany has been commissioned as system responsible for the implementation of this project.