Analysis of the designs of membrane transformable antennas for spacecraft

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of various designs of transformable membrane reflector antennas for spacecrafts, considers the dependence of the surface accuracy on the operating frequency of the antenna and the requirements imposed on deviations of the antenna surface from the paraboloid. A classification of membrane transformable antennas is presented depending on the presence or absence of supporting elements and stiffeners. Structural schemes for opening membrane antennas are described, from the classical umbrella opening scheme to original schemes for winding ribs on a central hub, tension supporting elements, winding paraboloid segments on a central hub, and folding the reflector surface using origami methods. The design of an offset membrane transformable antenna is considered. Modern materials for the manufacture of reflectors of membrane antennas, such as polymer composite materials with triaxial weaving of carbon fabric with a silicone matrix, polyamide and polyimide films with and without reinforcement, are considered. Materials with shape memory for opening membrane antennas are considered. Calculations of structures for natural vibration frequencies, calculations for bending of folds are described. A description of ground-based experimental testing, in particular, for the disclosure of various types of membrane antennas, was carried out.