Design and analysis of an integrated device for launch adapter and resettable orbital deployer for picosatellites

The design, analysis, and test of the integrated device for the launch adapter and the resettable orbital deployer are presented in this paper. This integrated device contains both functions of the single-use launch adapter and the resettable orbital deployer. Two types of release mechanisms are combined. The four-bar linkage mechanism is applied in the single-use adapter function. This release mechanism provides sufficient strength of connection in the launch stage and is released when entering the orbit. The electromagnetic hook mechanism is applied in the resettable orbital deployer. The deployer can be reloaded by the manipulator on the mother satellite with picosatellites taken out from the cargo to deploy multiple times. Dynamics simulation, finite element simulation, as well as the prototype test verify the preliminary feasibility of this design.