Abstract: Deployable tile aperture devices, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device that may include multiple aperture tiles that may be coupled with each other such the multiple aperture tiles have a stacked stowed configuration and a flat deployed configuration. Some embodiments include one or more tension chords configured to deploy the multiple aperture tiles when tension is applied to the one or more tension chords. The flat deployed configuration may include at least one side edge portion of each aperture tile from the multiple aperture tiles making contact with another side edge portion of another aperture tile from the multiple aperture tiles. The flat deployed configuration may form one or more continuous face surfaces formed from the multiple aperture tiles. The one or more tension chords may pass through at least a portion of one or more of the multiple aperture tiles.

Abstract: Deployable devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments include a system that may include: multiple frames configured to support multiple elements; multiple longerons; multiple diagonals coupled with the multiple longerons; and multiple battens. One or more battens may be coupled with at least one or more longerons and one or more frames such that the respective batten is offset at least along a length of the respective longeron with respect to at least a hinge point between the respective longeron and another longeron from the multiple longerons or along a length of the respective frame with respect to a hinge point between the respective frame and another frame from the multiple frames. Some embodiments include a method for ensuring synchronous deployment of a system that may include orienting a hinge axis coupled with at least one longeron substantially perpendicular to a hinge axis coupled with two or more frames.

Abstract: Furlable sail devices, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a system and/or device that may include: a furlable boom; a furlable sail coupled with a distal end of the furlable boom; and/or a shear take-up mechanism coupled with a root end of the furlable sail. In some embodiments, the shear take-up mechanism applies tension to the furlable sail. The shear-take up mechanism may include one or more springs coupled with the root end of the furlable sail. In some embodiments, the furlable sheet includes a structural sheet. The structural sheet may include one or more areas with bending stiffness. The structural sheet may be fabricated to be self-supporting. In some embodiments, the furlable boom includes a slit-tube boom. Some embodiments may be configured as deorbit sails.

Abstract: Device, systems, and methods for boom deployment and/or boom stowage are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may facilitate root control of a boom utilizing a variety of tools and techniques. Some embodiments may facilitate boom tip control. Some embodiments may include a boom and a boom spool. Some embodiments include one or more devices that may include: one or more compliant components, one or more boom spreaders, one or more stabilizing tabs, one or more spool locks, one or more boom tip guides, one or more root clamps, and/or a single consolidation roller. Some embodiments include methods that may utilize one or more of the noted devices.

Abstract: Furlable sail devices, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a system and/or device that may include: a furlable boom; a furlable sail coupled with a distal end of the furlable boom; and/or a shear take-up mechanism coupled with a root end of the furlable sail. In some embodiments, the shear take-up mechanism applies tension to the furlable sail. The shear-take up mechanism may include one or more springs coupled with the root end of the furlable sail. In some embodiments, the furlable sheet includes a structural sheet. The structural sheet may include one or more areas with bending stiffness. The structural sheet may be fabricated to be self-supporting. In some embodiments, the furlable boom includes a slit-tube boom. Some embodiments may be configured as deorbit sails.

Abstract: Passively deployable thermal management devices, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a passively deployable radiator device that may include: one or more thermally conductive layers; and/or one or more strain energy components configured to deploy passively the one or more thermally conductive layers. The one or more thermally conductive layers may include one or more carbon layers. The one or more carbon layers may include at least one or more graphite layers or one or more graphene layers. At least the one or more graphite layers or the one or more graphene layers include at least one or more pyrolytic graphite sheets or one or more pyrolytic graphene sheets.

Abstract: Device, systems, and methods for boom deployment and/or boom stowage are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may facilitate root control of a boom utilizing a variety of tools and techniques. Some embodiments may facilitate boom tip control. Some embodiments may include a boom and a boom spool. Some embodiments include one or more devices that may include: one or more compliant components, one or more boom spreaders, one or more stabilizing tabs, one or more spool locks, one or more boom tip guides, one or more root clamps, and/or a single consolidation roller. Some embodiments include methods that may utilize one or more of the noted devices.

Abstract: Deployable tile aperture devices, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments include a device that may include multiple aperture tiles that may be coupled with each other such the multiple aperture tiles have a stacked stowed configuration and a flat deployed configuration. Some embodiments include one or more tension chords configured to deploy the multiple aperture tiles when tension is applied to the one or more tension chords. The flat deployed configuration may include at least one side edge portion of each aperture tile from the multiple aperture tiles making contact with another side edge portion of another aperture tile from the multiple aperture tiles. The flat deployed configuration may form one or more continuous face surfaces formed from the multiple aperture tiles. The one or more tension chords may pass through at least a portion of one or more of the multiple aperture tiles.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for flexible, deployable structures with optical fiber are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a system that may include a flexible, deployable structure and one or more optical fibers coupled with the flexible, deployable structure. In some embodiments, one or more conditions of the one or more optical fibers coupled with a flexible, deployable structure may be determined. One or more conditions of the flexible, deployable structure may be determined utilizing the determined one or more conditions of the one or more optical fibers coupled with the flexible, deployable structure. The one or more conditions of the one or more optical fibers may be correlated to the one or more conditions of the flexible, deployable structure.

Abstract: Articulating solar panel energy systems, methods, and devices are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, the articulating solar panel energy systems or devices may include multiple modular solar panels and one or more tension cables that support the multiple modular solar panels. The articulating solar panel energy systems or devices may include one or more louvering ties coupled with the multiple modular solar panels such that the one or more louvering ties rotate the multiple modular solar panels. Methods of utilizing the articulating solar panel energy systems or devices are also provided.

Abstract: Deployable solar panels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes an extendable member comprising a composite material and having a length and a width; a plurality of hinges, each of the plurality of hinges extending across the width of the extendable member, the plurality of hinges comprising composite material and a shape memory polymer; and a plurality of solar panels coupled with the extendable member. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes a lenticular shape extending along the length of the extendable member.

Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.

Abstract: Device, systems, and methods for boom deployment and/or boom stowage are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may facilitate root control of a boom utilizing a variety of tools and techniques. Some embodiments may facilitate boom tip control. Some embodiments may include a boom and a boom spool. Some embodiments include one or more devices that may include: one or more compliant components, one or more boom spreaders, one or more stabilizing tabs, one or more spool locks, one or more boom tip guides, one or more root clamps, and/or a single consolidation roller. Some embodiments include methods that may utilize one or more of the noted devices.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for flexible, deployable structures with optical fiber are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a system that may include a flexible, deployable structure and one or more optical fibers coupled with the flexible, deployable structure. In some embodiments, one or more conditions of the one or more optical fibers coupled with a flexible, deployable structure may be determined. One or more conditions of the flexible, deployable structure may be determined utilizing the determined one or more conditions of the one or more optical fibers coupled with the flexible, deployable structure. The one or more conditions of the one or more optical fibers may be correlated to the one or more conditions of the flexible, deployable structure.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a wedge and mandrel that share an axis of rotation and can be rotated independently or simultaneously to stow or deploy slit-tube longerons. A wedge is crescent shaped, with a height that increases along an outer perimeter as the arc of the crescent is traversed from a first end to a second end. The changing height of the wedge allows a slit-tube longeron to be flattened for stowage or can be disengaged to allow the tube to curl up for deployment.

Abstract: A boom deployment mechanism is disclosed. The boom deployment mechanism may include a boom, a root plug, and a locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the boom may have a proximal end and a distal end. The boom may have a deployed configuration where the boom has a tubular shape with a slit that extends along the longitudinal length of the boom from the proximal end of the boom to the distal end of the boom. The boom may have a stowed configuration where the boom is flattened and rolled. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may be configured to secure the proximal end of the boom to the root plug when the boom is in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a boom deployment system. The boom deployment system, for example, may include a housing, a spool, a first boom, and a second boom. The spool may be disposed within the housing and configured to rotate around an axis that is fixed relative to the housing. The first boom and/or the second boom may have a cylindrical shape in a deployed configuration, a flattened shape in a stowed configuration, and a slit that extends along the longitudinal length of the boom in the deployed configuration. The first boom and/or the second boom may be stowed in the stowed configuration flattened and wrapped around the spool. The first boom and/or the second boom may transition from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration as the spool rotates around the axis.

Abstract: Passively deployable thermal management devices, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a passively deployable radiator device that may include: one or more thermally conductive layers; and/or one or more strain energy components configured to deploy passively the one or more thermally conductive layers. The one or more thermally conductive layers may include one or more carbon layers. The one or more carbon layers may include at least one or more graphite layers or one or more graphene layers. At least the one or more graphite layers or the one or more graphene layers include at least one or more pyrolytic graphite sheets or one or more pyrolytic graphene sheets.

Abstract: An asymmetric mast is disclosed that can be used for solar arrays. The asymmetric mast can have an asymmetry out of the plane of the solar blanket. The mast may include two or more booms that comprise slit tube longerons. In some embodiments, a single mast can be used with one or two solar blankets.

Abstract: Deployable solar panels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes an extendable member comprising a composite material and having a length and a width; a plurality of hinges, each of the plurality of hinges extending across the width of the extendable member, the plurality of hinges comprising composite material and a shape memory polymer; and a plurality of solar panels coupled with the extendable member. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes a lenticular shape extending along the length of the extendable member.