Orbital Wire Antenna Deployment Assembly Model 499 User Manual

Wire antenna deployment assembly model 499, Typical technical specifications: introduction

Wire Antenna
Deployment
Assembly
Model 499

Typical Technical Specifications:

Introduction

Wire Antenna Deployment Assembly (WADA) Model
499 was developed for the Combined Release and
Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) as part of the Passive
Plasma Sounder experiment to study near vehicle
thermal plasma characteristics. 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 and ISTP-WIND satellites. This unit can
be deployed or retracted in orbit.

Antenna Wire

Deployed Length:

Up to 360.8 ft

(110 meters)

Diameter

—

W/out insulation:

0.015 in

(0.038 cm)

With insulation:

0.032in

(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)

Deployer

Height:

7.21 in (18.31 cm)

Length:

10.27 in

(26.09 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:

28 Vdc Nominal

Deployment Rate:

Approximately

0.6 in/sec
(15 mm/sec)

Tip Mass Weight:

0.073 lbs

(33±.01 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