Orbital 9842 User Manual

Wire Antenna

Wire Antenna

Deployment

Deployment

Assembly

Assembly

Model 9842

Model 9842

Introduction

Wire Antenna Deployment Assembly (WADA) Model
9842 was developed for the International Solar
Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program’s WIND satellite – WAVES
experiment. This motorized mechanism is
capable of extending and retracting a wire antenna up to

360.8 feet (110 meters) long, perpendicular to the satellite
spin-axis. The antenna is a stranded beryllium-copper wire
measuring 0.015 inch (0.038 cm) diameter, with a
tensioning tip mass attached to the outer end. Either bare
or insulated wire may be used. The deployer features

electrical and mechanical stops at both full-extension and

-retraction. A potentiometer, driven by the moving antenna
wire, provides a continuous indication of the deployed
length. This deployment mechanism is designed to meet
the requirements of document MIL-A-083577A (USAF) for
Moving Mechanical Assemblies for Space and Launch
Vehicles. Similar units were used on Dynamics Explorer-1
& 2, International Sun-Earth Explorer, San Marco D/L &
the Combined Release & Radiation Effects Satellite. This
unit can be deployed or retracted in orbit.

Typical Technical Specifications:

Antenna Wire

Deployed Length: Up to 360.8 ft

(110 meters)
Diameter —
W/out insulation: 0.015 in

(0.038 cm)
With insulation: 0.032 in

(0.081 cm)
Material &
Construction: Beryllium

Copper
Insulation Material: Teflon

(per MIL-W-

16878)
Weight —
W/out insulation: 0.361 gr/ft

(1.184 gr/m)

With insulation: 0.605 gr/ft

(1.985 gr/m)

Height: 7.21 in (18.31 cm)
Length: 14.96 in (38 cm)
Width: 7.50 in (19.05 cm)
Total Unit Weight: 5.51 lbs (2.5 kg)
Drive Motor: Brushless D.C.
Power: 14 Watts maximum
Voltage: 24-32 Vdc
Deployment Rate: Approximately

Tip Mass: 10 ± 0.1 gram
Operating
Temperature Range: -10°C to +50°C
Qualification
Temperature Range: -20°C to +60°C
Survival
Temperature Range: -25°C to +65°C

Deployer

1.2 in/sec
(3.05 cm/sec)

Features

■ Automatic full-extend and -retract motor power cut-off

■ Full-extend and -retract flags

■ Deployed length indicator

■ Minimal magnetic materials

■ Removable RF test enclosure with connector

■ CFE pre-amp attachment

2.50

5.50

3.86

3.86

11.10

4.05

10.31

7.33

7.21

7.50

All dimensions are in inches

unless otherwise noted

Wire Antenna Deployment Assembly

Orbital Technical Services Division
5010 Herzel Place
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
www.orbital.com

4.410

5.44

5.25

Model 9842

7500 Greenway Ctr. Dr.,
Ste. 700 Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]