Aalto-1 is a nanosatellite based on CubeSat standard which will be launched in 2016. For command link and telemetry, Aalto-1 uses a UHF radio system operating at a 437.22 MHz frequency. For transmitting data to Earth, the UHF radio system requires antennas as well as an antenna deployment system (ADS), which would enable the antennas to be opened in operational configuration after the launch. The ADS compactly stores antennas into a small space before launch and then deploys them once the satellite is in orbit.

This thesis designs, constructs and tests an ADS for the Aalto-1 satellite. The thesis focuses on three areas of the ADS design: mechanical design, electrical design and radio frequency (RF) design. The mechanical design includes selection of antenna stowage configuration, ADS location on the satellite and an antenna release mechanism. Electrical design includes a trade-off between various solutions for implementing the required ADS timer, design of the circuit schematic for the ADS timer, design of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the ADS timer, and electronic component selection. RF design includes modelling the satellite structure, ADS and antennas using 3D electromagnetic simulation software. Antenna performance was optimized to meet mission requirements. To verify the simulation results, antennas were measured in an anechoic chamber. Moreover, ADS was subjected to a series of tests: vibration testing, thermal cycling testing and communication range testing. Thorough testing has not only ensured that ADS can withstand launch conditions and the space environment but will also work according to specifications.