Design and Analysis of a Compression and Separation Device for Multi-Satellite Deployment

The launch method of one arrow with multiple satellites can greatly shorten the time for constellation networking and improve the deployment efficiency. A new compression and separation device with a four-bar perimeter arrangement is proposed for multi-satellite compaction and in-orbit release. A compression device with gap elimination is designed to implement the reliable compaction of stacked flat satellites. An electromagnetic separation device is proposed to achieve the fast, low-interference release of multi-satellites. The dynamic model with flexible guide bars is established. The separation characteristics of multiple satellites are analyzed by the kinematic simulation. The prototype is developed, and the related experiment is implemented. The results show that the four-guide-bar-edge arrangement scheme with a gap elimination device achieves reliable locking and fast separation under a vibration environment. The dynamic separation characteristics of satellites are investigated by the air floatation experiments. The results show that a stable separation speed and low disturbance angular velocity are achieved under 10% spring error.