Citation
Abstract
With the development of inflatable technologies, inflatable structures used as large space antennas are becoming very possible for near-term space missions. This article discusses the development of an inflatable/self-rigidizable structure for a 3-m 32-GHz (Ka-band) reflectarray antenna. This reflectarray antenna uses a beamscanning reflectarray antenna with circular-polarization technology. This technology uses a flat surface instead of a parabolic surface for the radio frequency component. A flat “natural” thin-membrane surface is much easier to accomplish and maintain than is a curved “non-natural” parabolic surface. An innovative inflatable/self-rigidizable technology, namely, a spring tape reinforced (STR) aluminum-laminate boom, has been developed by this research. An STR aluminumlaminate boom automatically rigidizes after it is deployed, with no space power, no curing agent, and no rigidization system required. Any small damage caused by micrometeoroids will not impact the membrane performance, and inflation air is no longer needed once the antenna is inflated. A detailed mechanical design, dynamic analysis, and deployment demonstration of the antenna are discussed in this article.
Keywords
Details
- Volume
- 42-149
- Published
- May 15, 2002
- Pages
- 1–18
- File Size
- 672.7 KB