Magazine Article

Pyrotechnic Actuator for Retracting Tubes Between MSL Subsystems

TBMG-9252

12/01/2010

Abstract
Content

An apparatus, denoted the “retractuator” (a contraction of “retracting actuator”), was designed to help ensure clean separation between the cruise stage and the entry-vehicle subsystem of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. The retractuator or an equivalent mechanism is needed because of tubes that (1) transport a heat-transfer fluid between the stages during flight and (2) are cut immediately prior to separation of the stages retractuator. The role of the retractuator is to retract the tubes, after they are cut and before separation of the subsystem, so that cut ends of the tubes do not damage thermal-protection coats on the entry vehicle and do not contribute to uncertainty of drag and consequent uncertainty in separation velocity.

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Citation
"Pyrotechnic Actuator for Retracting Tubes Between MSL Subsystems," Mobility Engineering, December 1, 2010.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Dec 1, 2010
Product Code
TBMG-9252
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English