Deployment analysis and test of a coilable mast for BUAA Student Micro-satellite

BUAA Student Micro-satellite (BUAA-SAT) is a gravity-gradient stable satellite depending on a coilable mast. The mast , used as the main deploying and supporting members, plays an important part on the whole satellite structure. What's more, deployment test and modal parameter identification results are two important factors of the deployable space mast. This paper describes deployment test and analysis of the mast, gains modal parameter results through the software Patran and Nastran. Compared to the test with hammering method, the models correlate with test data for low frequency modes, but fall short for higher modes. Through this new method, we find a solution to test large masts with very low first frequency.