Deployable structure

A field deployable control tower

A deployable structure is a structure that can change shape so as to significantly change its size.^[1][2]

Examples of deployable structures are umbrellas, bistable structures, some tensegrity structures, bistable structures, some Origami shapes and scissor-like structures. Deployable structures are also used on spacecraft for deploying solar panels and solar sails.

NuSTAR deployable mast (2009) in the stowed configuration.

NuSTAR deployable mast (2009) deploys to 10 meters in length.

References

1. ^ S. Pellegrino (Ed.), Deployable Structures, CISM International Center for Mechanical Sciences, Springer, 2002
2. ^ http://www-civ.eng.cam.ac.uk/dsl/

External links

• University of Cambridge Deployable structures department publications