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SepMek group

The Separation Mechanism (SepMek) has its primary purpose to ensure the safe and controlled separation of the satellite from the deployer and maintain a stable trajectory immediately after deployment. This mechanism is essential to avoid undesirable spinning or uneven separation forces, which could destabilize the satellite’s operation in orbit.

SepMek system overview_edited.png

Current Design Concept
The current concept for SepMek incorporates a scissor-like mechanism driven by pre-tensioned springs. When triggered, the springs compress back to their natural state, extending the scissor mechanism and delivering a uniform force that propels the satellite out of the deployer. This design aims to achieve:

  • Equal force distribution: Ensuring balanced separation across all corners to prevent spinning or tilting.

  • Compact design: Keeping the mechanism lightweight (<0.3 kg) and small (<10 mm depth) to fit within the satellite's structural constraints.

  • Precision: Delivering consistent force to achieve a separation distance of 150 m within 3 minutes, with a force of approximately 0.011 N.

Design Challenges
Initially, the team explored using 3D-printed metal springs. However, the required spring constant exceeded feasible limits for the mission’s constraints. As a result, the focus shifted to a more practical solution using traditional springs paired with the scissor mechanism.

Key challenges in the design included:

  • Achieving precise force distribution across all sides of the CubeSat.

  • Mitigating the risk of unintended rotations caused by uneven separation forces.

  • Optimizing spring tension to match mission parameters without exceeding material or design limits.

Prior Work
Significant progress on the SepMek subsystem was made during the spring of 2024:

  • Prototyping: Initial prototypes of the separation mechanism were developed and tested.

  • Simulations: Extensive simulations were conducted to analyze spring forces and post-separation orbital behavior.

  • Lessons Learned: The importance of achieving uniform force distribution across the satellite’s edges was identified as a critical design factor.​

SepMek 1st design.png
SepMek tidligere 1.png
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Narvik Studentersamfunn Serpent Project​

Org.nr: 988727695 

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Lodve Langes gate 2

8514 Narvik Norge

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Email: Serpent@samfunnet.no

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