Integrated structural electromagnetic shape control of large space anatenna reflectors

Abstract

The requirements for extremely precise and powerful large space antenna reflectors have motivated the development of a procedure for static shape control of the reflector surface. A mathematical optimization procedure has been developed that improves antenna performance while minimizing necessary shape-correction effort. The control procedure is based on regulating electromagnetic (EM) performance in contrast to previous work, which is based on controlling the rms distortion error of the surface, thereby indirectly improving antenna performance. The application of the control procedure to a radiometer design with a tetrahedral truss backup structure demonstrates the potential for significant improvement. The results indicate the benefit of including EM performance calculations in procedures for shape control of large space antenna reflectors.