
Hingelock
Hingelock
TEE Deployer
TEE Deployer
Model 5E9
Model 5E9
Introduction
Orbital’s Hingelock deployer model 5E9 was develpoed
to meet “Deep Space” requirements for NASA’s Cassini
mission to the planet Saturn. As part of the RPWS
instrument, all three Orbital model 5E9 antennas were
successfully deployed ten meteres each to full length on
24 October 1997, two weeks after launch of the Cassini
spacecraft. The objective of the RPWS investogation is
to study radio and plasma waves in the vicinity of Saturn
and during the seven year journey to Saturn.
Deployer model 5E9 is a motor driven mechanism
capable of extending and retracting a 1.12 inch (2.86
cm) diameter, 32.8 foot (10 meter) long Tubular
Extendable Element (TEE). The unit is driven by an AC motor.
The deployer features electrical and mechanical stops at
full-extention and -retraction. A potentiometer, driven by
the moving element, provides a continuous indication of
deployed length. To ensure minimal distortions due to
thermal gradients in a space environment, material
perforations and thermal control coatings are applied
on both the inside and outside TEE surfaces. This unit
can be deployed or retracted in orbit.
This deployment mechanism is designed to meet
requirements of MIL-A-083577B (USAF), General
Specification for Mechanical Assemblies for Space and
Launch Vehicles.
Typical Technical Specifications:
Antenna Element
Deployed Length: Up to 38 ft (10
meters)
Diameter: 1.25 in (2.86 cm)
Configuration: Hingelock
Material: Beryllium Copper,
0.0045 in thick
(0.1143 mm) thick
Thermal Control Silverand
perforations with
Teflon film (if
required)
Weight: 831.43 gr/ft
(with coatings): 103.12 gr/m
Length: 21.2 in (58.3 cm)
Width: 8.09 in (20.5 cm)
Height: 4.86 in (12.3 cm)
Total Unit Weight: 10.5 lbs. (4.79 kg)
Drive: AC Motor
Inverter Power: 320 milliamps
Deployment Rate: Approximately 1.0 in/sec
Operating
Temp Range: -15C to +55C
Deployer
maximum at 30 volts
(2.5 (cm/sec)

Features
■ Automatic full-extended and -retract motor power cut-off
■ Full-extend and -retract flags
■ Minimal magnetic materials
■ Side mounting configuration is shown
■ Deployed TEE alignment to within 0.1 degree
All dimensions are in inches
unless otherwise noted
Orbital Technical Services Division
5010 Herzel Place
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone: (301) 902-1152 FAX: (301) 931-0396
www.orbital.com
Hingelock TEE Deployer
Model 5E9
7500 Greenway Ctr. Dr.,
Ste. 700 Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: (301) 220-5600 FAX: (301) 474-2600