Telescoping in the aerospace context refers to the ability of a structure to extend or retract in length. This feature allows for a more compact storage or transportation and a larger operational size.
Telescoping structures are used in a variety of aerospace applications, such as in antennas, booms, landing gear, and robotic arms.
In the aerospace context, telescoping structures are used in antennas to allow for a compact storage during launch and a larger operational size once deployed in space. For example, the Deep Space Network (DSN) of NASA uses large parabolic dish antennas with telescoping structures to communicate with spacecrafts that are far away from Earth. The antennas are stored in a compact size during launch and then extended to a larger size once deployed in space, allowing them to communicate with distant spacecrafts.
Another example is in the landing gear of aircrafts, telescoping struts are used to allow the landing gear to be stored in a compact size while the aircraft is in flight, and then extended to a larger size when the aircraft is on the ground. This allows the aircraft to have a lower profile while in flight, reducing drag and improving performance.
Telescoping booms are also used in spacecrafts, such as in the robotic arms of the International Space Station (ISS) and other spacecrafts, which use telescoping sections to extend their reach and perform tasks such as maintenance and repair.