As the outer segments and the complete boom fold out separately, there are only two degrees of freedom during each fold-out procedure; only three degrees of freedom in the case of spin-stabilized satellites.
The design principle of the Double Star boom can be adapted to a variety of spinstabilized satellites. A concept for an active, springdriven deployment, using redundant deployment springs at the hinges is available for non-spinning satellites.
Both versions can be realized either with one or two boom segments. The length of the deployed boom can be extended to more than four meters, depending on the dimensions of the spacecraft and on the mass to be deployed.